Thomas Cleveland Milstead

Thomas Cleveland Milstead, 83, of Birmingham, AL passed away on January 1, 2022. Thomas, “Tom”, was born on October 17, 1938 in Centerville, AL to Malton Hugh and Virley Frith Milstead. Tom served our nation in the Alabama National Guard from 1958 to the early 80s, most of that time serving as a helicopter pilot. He was also employed by Bellsouth for almost 40 years. He was a faithful member and deacon of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Cahaba Heights, AL from 1968-2004, followed by membership at Moon Lake Baptist Church in Mentone, AL and Valley Head Baptist Church in Valley Head, AL from 2004-2018. In all of his church memberships, Tom used his gifts and expertise as a builder to renovate and improve the church buildings. Tom graduated from Bibb County High School in 1958. He married his high school sweetheart, Jean Murphy, on July 17, 1959 and they resided in Centreville, AL in a house Tom designed, built and completed just prior to their marriage. Their first child, Phyliss Milstead Wright, was born in 1962, followed by their son Daryl Thomas Milstead, born in 1965. Together, they lived in Centreville until 1967 when they moved to Cahaba Heights. They lived there for 37 years. Tom and Jean retired in Mentone, AL in a house that he also designed and built with lumber that was processed on our family property in Gary Springs, near Centreville. Tom is preceded in death by his brother, Bobby Hugh Milstead; his parents, Malton and Virley Milstead; his grandson, Thomas Holt Milstead; and his wife, Jean Murphy Milstead. He is survived by his daughter, Phyliss Milstead Wright (Terry); his son Daryl Thomas Milstead (Sandra); his granddaughter Brittany Wright Von Kanel (Brent); his grandson Benjamin Scott Wright (Haley); his grandson Cleveland Hugh Milstead; and his great-grandchildren Lillian Reese Von Kanel, Michael Scott Von Kanel, Ruby Jean Von Kanel, and Beau Thomas Wright. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Pineland Memorial Park in Centreville, AL.  Memorial gifts may be mailed to UAB NICU Family Support Fund, UAB Hospital, Attention: Sandra Milstead,  1700 6th Ave S, Suite 5350, Birmingham, AL 35233.

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