Dr. William Matthew (Matt) Tomlin, Jr. was born June 6, 1938, to William Matthew Tomlin, Sr. and Ethel Hundley Tomlin in Bolivar, TN. He entered his heavenly home on November 1, 2022.
His family moved to Jackson when he was young, where he attended West Jackson Elementary School. After graduating from Jackson High School, he attended Union University, receiving a
Bachelor of Science degree. Continuing his education, he received his Master of Divinity from Southern Theological Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY, and later his Doctor of Ministry degree
from Southern Theology Seminary. Prior to a big test in graduate school, Matt often read over his notes once, went to a movie, then got a full night’s sleep.
Throughout his career as a pastor, he served six churches in Tennessee and Kentucky and served as interim pastor of six churches after retirement. He served on several Tennessee Baptist Committees and taught Bible courses at Union University. Matt loved preaching and teaching Bible history. One of his grandsons said, “No one could preach like Granddaddy!” .
Matt loved books and would often read one a day, his favorites being mysteries and westerns. The reruns of Gunsmoke on the western station were special to him.
He loved red neckties, fishing the Missouri rivers with his best friend, Dick Wakefield, and having a good rib-eye steak. Matt adored his family and friends and spent many hours sharing stories and jokes with them. His two rescued dogs, Hemingway and Annie often climbed up in the recliner where they would nap together.
In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by two sisters, Rachel Tomlin Wills and Corrine Tomlin Bonds, and three nephews.
In 1959, Matt wed Carolyn Ross Tomlin and were married for 63 years. To this union were born two children, Cindy Tomlin Coulston Ray (Bill) of Brownsville, TN, and Kevin Ross Tomlin (Peggy) of Jackson, TN; six grandchildren, Veronica Coulston Minton (Jonathan), John Connor Coulston, Matthew Tomlin (Megan), Kerri Gillette (Jason), Brittney Neely (Sam) and Nicole Joyce; a nephew, David Wills; eight great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.
The family is grateful to Sugar Creek Senior Living Community in Brownsville, TN for the excellent care and especially his sitters, Herbert and Clarence, who took such good care of him. Victor Love often drove Matt around town, where they often reminisced about Jackson.
SERVICES: The funeral service will be held on Friday, November 4, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors, with Reverend Randy Kellogg and Reverend Larry Murphy officiating. Burial will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery in the Malesus Community.
The family will be receiving friends beginning from 11:00 a.m. until the service time.
The family request that any memorial donations be directed to Woodland Baptist Church, 885 Woodland Church Road, Brownsville, TN 38012, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrington Funeral Directors 148 W. University Parkway Jackson, TN 38035
731-668-1111 arringtonpfuneralgroup.com