Thomas Carlton Underwood
Thomas Carlton Underwood

By Spessard Stone


Thomas Carlton Underwood, nicknamed "Tommy," was born March 11, 1929, Knoxville, Tennessee. He was the only child of John Thomas Underwood and Flossie (Carlton) Underwoood and a grandson of Alton Hudson Carlton and Mary Vashti (Whidden) Carlton. His father was a native of East Tennessee and his mother a descendant of Florida pioneers.

Tommy attended elementary school in Wauchula, Florida, prep school at Bolles Military School, Jacksonville, Florida, and received his B.S. from Florida State University on August 15, 1951.

Ater serving 30 months in the U. S. Coast Guard, he worked for four years as a clothing salesman based at Alexandria, Louisiana, then returned to Wauchula. In 1959 he assisted F. L. Revell, Sr. in the organization of the First National Bank of Wauchula which opened in January 1960 with Tommy as teller. In 1969 he became president, which office he held until his retirement on January 1, 1988, remaining as the chairman of the board of directors. He also had citrus groves.

Active in civic affairs, Tommy served on the Wauchula City Council and was Wauchula Mayor several terms. He was a member of Wauchula Lodge No. 17, F. & A. M., the local Elks Lodge, and Lake Dale Baptist Church. He was the author of "History of the First Baptist Church, Wauchula." Along with Tony Ullrich and Earle Nickerson he was a founder of Pioneer Park Days. He was a Baron of the Magna Carta of England, member of the Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of Confederate Veterans. Tommy loved the Lord and was a friendly man who would approach you with a smile and always had a joke that he told with the ease of a professional comedian.

At Alexandria, Louisiana on September 11, 1954, he married Elizabeth Cosey, born August 22, 1930, Wauchula, daughter of Pete and Elizabeth (Beeson) Cosey. Elizabeth, a graduate of Florida State, was an art teacher in the Hardee County schools. Her painting of Governor Cary A. Hardee hangs in the Capitol at Tallahassee. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wauchula, Mayflower Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy.

In August 1984, Tommy and Elizabeth Underwood purchased the Albert Carlton-Alton H. Carlton estate, 302 East Azalea Street, Wauchula, where they lived from 1987. On October 3, 1991, the Albert Carlton estate was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Elizabeth Cosey Underwood died January 13, 2000. Thomas Carlton �Tommy� Underwood died May 23, 2002, Wauchula, Florida. They are buried in Wauchula Cemetery.

Tommy was an historian and especially enjoyed researching the Civil War, lecturing on it, and touring its hallowed battle fields. Although most of his ancestors were loyal to the Union, he adhered to the Confederacy. The Conferate Military Lodge, of which he was a member, posted Resolution of Respect.

Tommy�s funeral notice in The Herald-Advocate, 11A, Thursday, May 30, 2002, follows:

�Thomas 'Tommy' Carlton Underwood, 73, of Wauchula, died Thursday, May 23, 2002, at home.
"Born in Knoxville, Tenn., he had been a resident of Wauchula most of his life. He attended The Bolles School in Jacksonville under a scholarship, graduating in 1947, and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University. He was a former president and chairman of the board of First National Bank, chairman of Hardee Holding Co., two-term mayor of the City of Wauchula, served 14 years as Wauchula city councilman, and was one of the originators of Pioneer Park Days. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Wauchula Masonic Lodge #17 F&AM, past Commander of the David E. Twiggs Camp 1462 Sons of Confederate Veterans, and former Chief Finance Officer of Sons of Confederate Veterans headquartered in Columbia, Tennessee. He was a Yoke Fellow at Lake Dale Baptist Church and enjoyed his grandchildren. His home, Azalea Hill, is listed in The National Register.
"He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Cosey Underwood. Survivors are: son, John Underwood of Wauchula; daughter-in-law, Carissa Collins Underwood of Avon Park; and two grandchildren, Virginia and Thomas Underwood.
"Funeral services were Tuesday, May 28, at 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Walt Napier and the Rev. John Roberts officiating. Burial was in Wauchula Cemetery. Visitation was Monday, May 27, 6-8 p.m., at Robarts Family Garden Chapel, Wauchula. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1149, Wauchula, FL 33873.

Tommy and Elizabeth had one son:

John Thomas Underwood, born June 8, 1957; died March 31, 2010; married (1) Feb. 9, 1980 Carissa Joy Collins; divorced ca. 1995; (2) Nov. 2003 Susan Denise Wetterhall.



Thomas Carlton Underwood (1929-2002) & Elizabeth Cosey Underwood (1930-2000), Wauchula, Aug. 13, 1996



Elizabeth & Tommy Underwood, courtesy of John T. Undwerwood


L-R: Virginia Underwood, Ann Bowden, Tommy Underwood, Thomas Underwood, Tallahassee, Nov. 2000


Governor Jeb Bush and Virginia Underwood, November 2000

May 31, 2002, Feb. 17, 2007.