Tommy Ray Wortman

Tommy Ray Wortman, 54, of Morganton passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at his residence. Born in Burke County, NC on July 16, 1957, he was the son of the late Austin Wortman and Martha Melvina Morris Pearson. Tommy attended Grace Baptist Church. He was a manager at Broyhill Furniture Company for over 15 years. Along with his wife, Carla, he founded the country/southern rock band, "Southern Born" and they performed for over 20 years. Tommy loved to ride motorcycles with his family.Tommy is survived by his wife, Carla Jo Black Wortman of the home; sons, Ray Wortman and wife, Jessica, Jay E. Wortman and wife, Angie, Joey Wortman, and Casey W. Wortman, all of Morganton; daughters, Tammy Renee Wortman and Cayla Jo Wortman, both of Morganton; grandsons, Ryan, Christopher, Nicholas, and Noah Wortman; his step-mother, Clara Wortman of Icard, NC; step-brothers, Russel Cool of Michigan, Robert Cool of Icard, and Ron Cool of Michigan; step-sisters, Marilyn Chester of Icard, Terry Akler of Michigan, and Evelyn McGarity of Georgia; and brothers-in-law, Aaron Black, Billy Black, and Dana Black, all of Morganton.In addition to his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by his step-father, Horace Pearson.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Grace Baptist Church with Reverends Marty Bess and Willard Lambert officiating. Burial will follow in Wortman Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the church.Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church Building Fund, 1939 Paul Shuping Avenue, Morganton, NC 28655.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.