Baby Thomas “Tommy” Lee West was born in Charleston, SC, on April 1, 2026. It was a bright Wednesday afternoon that seemed full of promise. Tommy was tiny and mighty with ten perfect fingers, ten wiggly toes, porcelain skin, and a full head of hair. Despite his premature arrival, his doctors and nurses were impressed by his strength and resilience. For ten hours, the NICU focused intensely on his care as we (his family) channeled our every prayer – every last whisper of hope – into the outcome of Tommy’s survival. Even still, he slipped away in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

Ten hours is a very long car ride, a grueling shift at work, a very good night’s sleep. But ten hours is a very short life. When Tommy’s heart stopped, it felt like time should have too. But it didn’t. And still hasn’t. And it won’t. But neither will his memory.

Tommy was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandparents, John and Mary West and his maternal great-grandparents, Raymond and Bertha O’Brien and Charlotte Myers. Though we cannot know what comes next, it gives us great comfort to imagine that they, in their warmth and wisdom, were there to greet him on the other side. Perhaps they took him in their arms, nuzzled his fuzzy little head and delighted in his sunshine soul.

Baby Tommy leaves behind his parents, Anne and Ryan West, whose love for him will last forever, and cannot be adequately represented by any known unit of measure. Oliver “Ollie” Joseph West (age 3) and Raymond “Ray” Cary West (age 10 months) are his big brothers (who aren’t very big at all). Though they will never get to run and play with him, tickle him or hear him giggle, they will grow big and strong knowing the story of their littlest brother, Tommy, forever just ten hours old.

In addition to his parents and brothers, Tommy is survived by his paternal grandparents, Kristi Atkinson West of Summerville and Stephen West of North Charleston; his maternal grandparents, Carolyn and Wendell O’Brien of Morehead KY; and great-grandparents, Richard and Judy Atkinson of Jacksonville AL and James “Jim” Myers of Logan, OH.

He is also survived by his uncles, Michael Parrish of Atlanta GA, Christopher West (Juliana) of Ithaca NY, Nathaniel West (Christa) of North Charleston; aunt, Mary Wozniak (Luke) of Summerville; cousins, Ethan (mother, Crystal), Max, and Ezra.

Dozens more great-aunts, uncles and cousins are spread across the country, as well as his family’s many friends and acquaintances who have followed Tommy’s journey into this world and on to what dreams may come.

A memorial for Thomas Lee West will take place on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 10am to 1pm at Ashley River Park (Screened Porch), 200 Renken Rd., Summerville SC 29485. All who wish to come are welcome.

Please direct any flowers and/or gifts to Annie and Ryan West, 104 Martin Ln., Summerville, SC 29485.

Until we meet again, dream big little Tommy. You are dearly loved and hugely missed. We will cherish your memory forever.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.