Thomas L. Gholson Sr.

Our hearts were saddened to learn that our beloved Bishop Thomas Linwood Gholson Sr. was called from labor to reward on Saturday, June 18, 2010, at the Tyler's Retreat Nursing Home, Chester, Va. He resided at 7606 Trinity Church Road, Church Road, Va.

Bishop Gholson was born on April 4, 1925, in Dinwiddie, Va., and was the son of the late Arthur and Elizabeth Gholson. He attended the public school system in the county of Dinwiddie and he attended Norfolk State College (University). He served in the U.S. Navy in the early 1950s. He was a retired employee of the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company, Petersburg, Va., in the early 1990s. He became a licensed bishop in the early '90s and pastored several churches throughout Virginia.

He was baptized at an early age at the Mt. Poole Baptist Church, Ford, Va., where he was one of the original Mt. Poole Male Chorus members. He was the superintendant and taught Sunday school at Mt. Poole for many years.

Bishop Gholson enjoyed singing and playing the keyboard and he could really play. He also enjoyed fishing in his later years.

Bishop Gholson was preceded in death by two children, Linwood and Lamona Gholson; and six siblings, Mary Foster, Ulysses, James, Ellis, John and Russell Gholson.

Bishop Gholson leaves to cherishing his loving and precious memory: his wife, Mattie Gholson; children, Leonard, Leo, Leon and Lonnie Gholson; his first union of Edmonia Gilliam; one son, Thomas L. Gholson Jr.; one sister, Bernice Harris of Dinwiddie, Va.; two brothers, Bishop Willie Gholson and Deacon Raymond Gholson Sr. (Elise) of Church Road, Va.; one sister-in-law, Bee Gholson, Philadelphia, Pa.; grandchildren, Monica and Tinitia Gholson, both of Petersburg, Va., Sherria Hoop, Leon Gholson Jr., Tim Bland, and Andre Vaughan (Janice), all of Petersburg, Va.; six great-grandchildren; and a host of devoted nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives; and friends; very special nephews, Russell Gholson Jr. and Jerry Harris, a special niece, Gloria Gholson; and devoted friends, Luther (Bay) Clark, and Alan (Midnight) Bland.

Special thanks to the Hospices of Richmond, Va., McGuire Veterans Medical Center, Richmond, Va., Dinwiddie Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services for Mr. Thomas L. Gholson will be held noon, Friday, June 25, 2010, at Mt. Poole Baptist Church, 9515 Baltimore Road, Ford, Va.; the Rev. Stephen Pugh, pastor, and the Rev. Lisa Terry, eulogist. The interment to follow at the VA Cemetery of Amelia.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010, at the funeral establishment.

The family will receive friends at 147 Spring St., Petersburg, Va., and may be contacted by calling (804) 863-2402 or Thomas L. Gholson Jr. (804) 861-5950.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Bishop Gholson online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com where you may view a video tribute online or at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.