PFC Thomas Edison Loden

Thomas Edison Loden, 91, of Birmingham, Ala., died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007.

He was born and reared in Toccoa and moved to Birmingham, Ala., as a young man. There he met and married his wife, Bennie McCay, and they raised their three daughters.

He served in the United States Army during World War II as a Private First Class with Company A, 764th Railway Shop Battalion. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Service Medal, European-African- Middle Eastern Service Medal, a Bronze Star, and the Good Conduct Medal. He retired from Southern Railway as a conductor on March 19, 1981, after 40 years of service, with the exception of the time he spent in the United States Army.

He was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church and had been married to his wife, Bennie, for 65 years.

Survivors include his wife, Bennie McCay Loden; daughters, Sylvia Loden Rayfield and husband, Donald K. Rayfield, Sharon Loden Lee, Sherry Loden Lindsey and husband, Bruce Lindsey; granddaughter, Shannon Rayfield Lanier and husband, James H. Lanier; and grandsons, Jon Barrett Lee and Jacob Blair Lee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Harrison and Ida Maxwell Loden and brothers, William Loden, and wife, Margie; and Samuel E. Loden and wife, Etta.

Graveside services were held Thursday, Oct. 18, in Austin Creek Cemetery, Blountsville, Ala., with the Rev. Avery Harris, Donald K. Rayfield and the Rev. David Lee officiating.