Dr. Thomas E Motley Sr., age 83, of Memphis, TN passed away on Wednesday January 11, 2023, unexpectedly at Methodist University Hospital at 10:15AM. Born in Whiteville, Tennessee on May 15, 1939, to the Late Robert and Elma Coleen Motley Owners of Motley and Rivers Funeral Home. Dr. Motley graduated from High School at the Palmer Memorial Institute located in Sedalia, North Carolina. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Howard University and Doctor of Medicine from Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. Motley was a board-certified internal medicine physician, had dedicated over 45 years of compassionate medical care and distinguished service to his community. After completing his Naval career Dr. Motley served the city of Memphis as its first African American Internal Medicine physician. Dr. Motley’s service was extensive. He served as medical director for Cardiac Rehabilitation and Department of Preventive Medicine and Methodist Healthcare Systems. He was Chief of Staff for Methodist Extended Care Hospital and was a founding partner of the Eastmoreland Internal Medicine Group. Dr. Motley also served as a consulting physician for St Francis Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital. In addition to his medical practice, Motley contributed to numerous medical research studies as a clinical science principal investigator. Over the course of his medical career, he had been an active member of numerous scientific and medical organizations including the National Medical Association, The American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, Association of Black Cardiologists, Bluff City Medical Society and Memphis and Shelby County Medical Society just to name a few. Dr. Motley was also highly devoted to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He also belonged to multiple community organizations including but not limited to the Omega Psi Phi incorporated and the Memphis chapter of Delta Boule. Doctor Motley was a dedicated family man and was married to Sharon Motley at the time of his death. Doctor Motley and his late wife Comora C. Motley were the parents of the late Thomas E. Motley, Jr. M.D and Todd S. Motley, MD. He was the father-in-law of Ann-Marie Motley, MD and Vanessa Motley. He was the proud grandfather of Chelsie Motley, Madison Motley and Seth C. Motley. Dr. Motley was also the Stepfather to Marzk Jones (Mark).

The visitation will be from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at R S Lewis & Sons Funeral Home, 2944 Walnut Grove, Memphis, Tennessee. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Church of the Holy Communion located at 4645 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117. Interment will follow at 2:30 PM in the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, Memphis, TN. In lieu of flowers, the Motley family will like donation sent to the Emanuel Center 604 Saint Paul Ave. Memphis TN 38126.