Thomas L. Bolin

Friday, June 15, 2007

BERNIE - Thomas L. Bolin, 82, passed away at his residence in Bernie, June 12, 2007, at the age of 82, due to long illness.

Born Dec. 2, 1924 in Obion, Tenn., son of the late A. J. and Myrl Hanks Bolin, he served in the U. S. Navy at the age of 17, before moving his family to the Bernie area. Tom was a sharecropper before taking the position of care taker of the Bernie Cemetery and driving the Bernie school bus for many years. He lived for a short while in St. Charles, Ill. before moving back to his home in Bernie. Later in his life he was a local carpenter for many Bernie residents. He also gave his life to God at the age of 23. He was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy for 56 years. He started the Bernie Church Of God of Prophecy in 1952 again in 1971 with his daughter, Yvonne. He became a deacon then pastor before retiring in 2004.

On Jan. 19, 1942, he married Emma Allene Vincent, who preceded her husband in death in 1978.

Survivors include: one son, Calvin Bolin and wife, Bonnie of St. Charles, Illinois: five daughters, Emma Jane Taylor and husband, Everett of Sikeston, Missouri, Barbara McDonald and husband, Don of Gulf Port, Miss., Yvonne Carson of Cottonwood, Ariz., Tina Kirkman and husband, Jim and Margaret Simpson and husband, Jerry all of Bernie; and 28 grandchildren, 49 great-

grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a beloved sister-in-law, Peggy Leija of St. Charles, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews. He also left many brothers and sisters in Christ with special mention to life long friends Lloyd McCain and Pauline Jones.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two sons: Robert E. Bolin and Fred L. Bolin; one daughter, Linda F. Bolin; one daughter-

in-law, Evelyn; one son-in-law, Herman Brashear; one great-grandson, Steven Brashear; three brothers, Harvey Bolin, Wade Bolin and Benny Bolin; and three sisters, Vernell Pritchard, Myrtle Bolin and Clare Bolin.

He was a man of God with a loving and tender heart. His love of God and his family made him dear to us all. His smile, jokes and stories will be missed and leaves a huge empty place in this world and in our hearts.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Charles Winchester officiating.

Burial will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.

Paid obituary