Edward Thomas "Tom" Primm

View Funeral Webcast Edward Thomas "Tom" Primm, 66, Maury County Commissioner and retired from Bell South, died Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Williamson Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Russ Adcox and Maury County Mayor Jim Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the Tennessee Elks Benevolent Trust (TEBT), c/o Michael Chandler, P.O. Box 8604, Flintville, TN 37335-8604 or King's Daughters School, 412 West 9th Street, Columbia, TN 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to oakesandnichols.com. Born and reared in Maury County, he was the son of the late Jackson Boyd "Jack" Primm and Martha Belle Hardison Primm. He was also preceded in death by his uncle, Neil Primm, with whom he lived most of his childhood. He was a 1964 graduate of Columbia Central High School and earned a degree in Business Administration, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee. He served in the U. S. Army and did a tour of duty in Viet Nam. Mr. Primm worked for 43 years for BellSouth as a supervisor and manager of construction and engineering. He retired in 2008 and purchased The Spoiled Lady with his wife and daughter. He loved "his girls" at the store as if they were his own children and spent most of his time working at the business. He was appointed Maury County District 2 Commissioner in 2003 to fill a position left vacant by Jim Evans and was re-elected in 2006 and 2010. He served as Commission Chairman from 2005-2010 and as Chairman of the Budget Committee from 2005-2011 and was currently serving as Chairman. Tom was a driving force behind many major county projects, including the Maury County Animal Shelter, Maury County Fire Station on Tom J. Hitch Parkway, addition to the County Jail and was an advocate for the proposed Criminal Justice Center. He enjoyed being involved in politics and serving his community. His greatest joy came from picking up his "baby girl," Karmen, from school and spending the afternoon with her, taking her to cheer practice and being her "Tom-Tom." Mr. Primm was active in the affairs of the Columbia Elks Lodge, serving as past Exalted Ruler and Treasurer. He was also a member of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19, former member of the Columbia Jaycees, and attended Maury Hills Church. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Sue Lovell Primm; daughter, Dee (Ben) White; granddaughter, Karmen Rian Rettinger; sisters, Peggy Primm and Dolly (Wayne) Henson; brothers, Jack Primm, Jr. and John (Cheryl) Primm; sister-in-law, Wanda Sutton; brothers-in-law, Bobby (Jeanette) Lovell and Gary (Carolyn) Lovell; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Active pallbearers are Ronnie Attkisson, Jimmy Rodgers, Eddie Campbell, Danny Lasater, Eddie Priest, Brian Parsons, Brent Buchanan, and Kane Henson. Honorary pallbearers include past and present members of the Maury County Commission who loved and supported him throughout his terms of office; employees of AT&T, his very special "Spoiled Ladies," Linzy Boshers, Sondra Wilson, Kelsey King, Mary Catherine Beech, Becky Patterson, Tracy Hudson, Whitney King, Jennifer Massey, and Addi G.