Thomas Michael Updike "Mike" a cherished pillar of his community and devoted man of faith, passed from this life into eternal rest and on the day of love February 14, 2024, at the age of 73. Born on March 9, 1950, in the heart of Alabama, Mike developed a profound respect for the beauty of creation, living his life as a testament to the joys of nature and family.

Mike's days were filled with the simple pleasures of the outdoors—each bird that graced his feeders, every fish that tugged at his line, and the ever-faithful company of his feline companion. It was in these quiet moments of communion with God's earth that Mike found his deepest contentment, and through these actions, he expressed his love for the Creator.

Survived by his loving sons, Michael and Tony Updike; his daughter Michelle Gooch, with her husband Delton; his caring brothers, Joe Sharit and Larry Updike; and his sister Joy Howell. Mike's legacy flourishes in the lives of his descendants. His ten grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren, alongside numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, will carry forward the values he so dearly embodied. He is now reunited with his mother, Rebecca Winters and his grandparents, who raised him, Joyce and Ezra Loggins, in the kingdom of Heaven.

Mike was a devoted congregant of the Grace Community Baptist Church, wherein his faith and fellowship were an integral part of the community. To honor his memory, the funeral service will be conducted at Grace Community Baptist Church on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 2:00 pm, with visitation scheduled for the hour preceding the service. The Blount County/ Cleveland Funeral Home in Cleveland, AL, is overseeing the arrangements.

Mike Updike lived a life marked by devotion, kindness, and a quiet strength. As his loved ones gather to bid farewell, they can take solace in the immeasurable impact he had on their lives and the assurance that he rests now in the arms of his Lord and Savior.