Shirley Tomlin went to be with the Lord on January 18, 2026.
Shirley was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on April 26, 1935, to John Porter Whiteley and Minnie Marie Hall Whiteley. They lived in several states across the US before settling in Mt. Pleasant, TN. Her sister, Sandra Whiteley Emmitt, was a lifelong friend and traveling companion.
She attended the University of Tennessee Martin, and graduated in 1957 from George Peabody College. The friendships she made at Martin and Peabody were dear to her and lasted until the end of her days. She later received a master's degree in library science from Vanderbilt University in 1982, while also serving as a mom and teacher. She spent her entire career in education, teaching in Metro Nashville Schools, St. Paul Christian Academy, and later Franklin Road Academy, where she served as librarian until her retirement in 2000. She shared her love of crossword puzzles with many students. Following retirement, she continued to assist schools and churches with their libraries. She was an active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) sorority for educators, where she made and maintained lifelong friendships. Her daughter, Jan, followed her footsteps into education as a career. Son Chuck also employed her focus on education and work ethic in his work as an accountant and business leader.
Shirley married Millard D. Tomlin, Jr. in 1962 and remained married until his passing in 2002. They enjoyed traveling with friends, movies and eating out.
Shirley weathered and rebuilt from the 2010 historic Nashville floods as well as persevering through several serious health issues over a nearly 25-year period. She enjoyed Tennessee football, attending many games over the years, the last being at age 86 with her son Chuck. She enjoyed watching and participating in 'Jeopardy', crossword puzzles and other methods of keeping a sharp mind well into her 80's.
Survivors include her children, Jan Elizabeth Tomlin Henderlight (Dwight); son Charles Whiteley "Chuck" Tomlin (Kimberely); grandchildren Abigail (Abbie) Henderlight and Nicolas (Nic) Henderlight; and Sister Sandra Whiteley Emmitt.
Shirley chose to donate her body for research. A service will be held on a future date.
Shirley was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on April 26, 1935, to John Porter Whiteley and Minnie Marie Hall Whiteley. They lived in several states across the US before settling in Mt. Pleasant, TN. Her sister, Sandra Whiteley Emmitt, was a lifelong friend and traveling companion.
She attended the University of Tennessee Martin, and graduated in 1957 from George Peabody College. The friendships she made at Martin and Peabody were dear to her and lasted until the end of her days. She later received a master's degree in library science from Vanderbilt University in 1982, while also serving as a mom and teacher. She spent her entire career in education, teaching in Metro Nashville Schools, St. Paul Christian Academy, and later Franklin Road Academy, where she served as librarian until her retirement in 2000. She shared her love of crossword puzzles with many students. Following retirement, she continued to assist schools and churches with their libraries. She was an active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) sorority for educators, where she made and maintained lifelong friendships. Her daughter, Jan, followed her footsteps into education as a career. Son Chuck also employed her focus on education and work ethic in his work as an accountant and business leader.
Shirley married Millard D. Tomlin, Jr. in 1962 and remained married until his passing in 2002. They enjoyed traveling with friends, movies and eating out.
Shirley weathered and rebuilt from the 2010 historic Nashville floods as well as persevering through several serious health issues over a nearly 25-year period. She enjoyed Tennessee football, attending many games over the years, the last being at age 86 with her son Chuck. She enjoyed watching and participating in 'Jeopardy', crossword puzzles and other methods of keeping a sharp mind well into her 80's.
Survivors include her children, Jan Elizabeth Tomlin Henderlight (Dwight); son Charles Whiteley "Chuck" Tomlin (Kimberely); grandchildren Abigail (Abbie) Henderlight and Nicolas (Nic) Henderlight; and Sister Sandra Whiteley Emmitt.
Shirley chose to donate her body for research. A service will be held on a future date.
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