Mr. Thomas William "Tommy" Burden, Sr, 87, of Hartwell, passed away Saturday, October 14, 2023 at his home.

Born on December 14, 1935, in Anderson, SC, he was the son of the late Roscoe Lander Burden and Lula Mae Jones Burden. Tommy was a former Chief Probation Officer for the Northern Judicial Circuit, Georgia Department of Pardons and Parole. Tommy was a member of the Hartwell First Presbyterian Church where he was a former elder. He was also an avid golfer and member of the Hartwell Golf Club. He was a Mason and a Shriner. Tommy was a veteran of the US Army.

Survivors include his son: Thomas W. Burden Jr. of Braselton, GA; daughter: Elizabeth "Beth" Kay (Doug) of Hartwell; eight grandchildren: Jonathan Burden, Malorie Burden, Silas Kay, Piper Kay, Trinity Kay, Hubble Kay, Judge Kay, Levi Kay; and two great-grandchildren: Ellis and Rosemary Burden. Mr. Burden is preceded in death by his parents; wife: Lula Belle White Burden; a daughter-in-law: Lynne Reed Burden; a brother: Buddy Burden; and four sisters: Beatrice McDaniel, Ella Mae Spears, Betty Lou Wooten, Frankie Fowler.

Tommy wished to be cremated and a memorial service celebrating his life will be held Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at the Hartwell First Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hart Interdenominational Ministries, Food Pantry, P.O. Box 21, Hartwell, GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.