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Alfonso Lee Tinsley Sr.
Alfonso Lee Tinsley Sr.
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Alfonso Tinsley Obituary
Alfonso Lee Tinsley Sr. Alfonso Lee Tinsley Sr. at the age of 75, departed this life on Friday, August 26, 2011, at Martha Jefferson Hospital.
He was born on December 21, 1935, in Charlottesville, Virginia, to David and Bettie Moore Tinsley.
He was known for his kindness, generosity, humor, gentle nature, and strong devotion to his family and friends. Alfonso known to most as Al, was a member of Zion Union Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. He served in the United States Army and Army Reserves and retired as a Master Sergeant. Al, a star football athlete in both High School and College, received his undergraduate degree from St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia and he was also a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He went on to earn his Master's degree in Education from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. He taught in the Charlottesville Public School System and retired with over 30 years of dedicated service.
Al is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Ina Johnson Tinsley; his only and beloved son, Alfonso Lee Tinsley Jr. and wife, Nicol, of Midlothian, Virginia; his pride and joy grandson, Jorion Alfonso Tinsley; and a special granddaughter, Aliah Brielle Cotman of Midlothian, Virginia; two sisters, Mary Durrette and Thelma Tinsley of Charlottesville, Virginia; four brothers, Sidney Tinsley and wife, Shirley, of Detroit, Michigan, George Tinsley and wife, Helen, Isaiah Tinsley and wife, Ann, and Frank Tinsley of Charlottesville, Virginia; many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a host of other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, September 1, 2011, at Zion Union Baptist Church, 1015 Preston Avenue, with the Reverend Lloyd Cosby officiating. Interment will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.jfbellfuneralhome.com.
J. F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
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Shirley Solomon Parrish
August 24, 2020
Al and his family were always very good friends to me. I continue as a friend of his surviving family and will always remember Al as a great loss to all who knew him.
Donny Addington
September 17, 2011
Mr.T, I first met you at C'ville High School in 1975. You made such an impression in my life that I never forgot it. Since my graduation in 77 I have tried to come by your house and visit with you. It was always good to see you and hear that Tinsley laugh it was infectious.
I was in town and heard of your passing from my parents. I think my heart skipped a beat because I was telling them I wanted to stop and see you. I was so glad that I had the chance to visit with you on my last visit. Even though I will not see you here on this earth we will meet again.
You were a awesome teacher,great friend and mentor. I even learned a little about cars, more than I wanted to about the Dodge/plymouth Valient with the in-line 6. God Bless and God Bless you family.
Kristal Hawkins
September 1, 2011
Cousin Al, you will sincerely be missed. Thank you for all of your kind humor and support. We love you and you will truly be missed. God Bless . ......Love, Krissy
Dwight Early
September 1, 2011
Mr. Tinsley you were a great man we had fun in drives ed and at Zion Union. You will be missed but never forgotten. My heart goes out to your family and know that I have you all in my prayers.
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Frank and Valerie Clark
September 1, 2011
Lee, Nicol and the Tinsley Family. Thinking of you in your sorrow and praying for God's blessings on you and your wonderful family. You have our deepest sympathy on the loss of your Dad.
Myra Gunnell-Turner
August 31, 2011
Mrs. Tinsley and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during the passing of your loved one.
I met Officer Tinsley at the Reserve Center on Cherry Avenue with my dad, SGT Mansfield Gunnell. Office Tinsley was a wonderful person and will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
May God continue to bless you and your family.
Love,
Myra Gunnell Turner
Christie Falconer-Wade
August 31, 2011
Mr. Tinsley was a great asset to the staff at Charlottesville High,and I remember his friendly personality.
My deepest sympathies to you all.
Jonathan Spivey
August 31, 2011
To the Tinsley Family,
I greatly sadden by the new the Al had passed away. He was a great educator and human being. Recently I had the pleasure of running to him often at the car wash. Always up beat and encouraging.
I am grateful to God for having met him. My thoughts and prayers are with you his family and friends.
Linda Jones Mitchell
August 31, 2011
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Gwen Michie-Johnson
August 31, 2011
Tinsley Family,
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Tinsley passing. He was my teacher at CHS and had such a wonderful smile. Great person and will be greatly missed. May God strengthen you during this your time of loss.
Karen Waters Wicks
August 31, 2011
Although I only had the pleasure of knowing him for a short time, Mr. Tinsley brightened many a morning with a warm greeting for his new neighbor. I will miss his kind words, big smile, and reminder to "Call me Al!" in response to my "Good Morning, Mr. Tinsley!" Our faith remains in God's plan, and our prayers are with the Tinsley family during their time of sorrow.
Ralph Terrell & Family
August 31, 2011
Isaiah,
I was saddened to hear that your brother passed away. I want you know that my thoughts are with you and your family.
Daphne Fortune
August 31, 2011
To the Tinsley Family...May God grant you peace and serenity. Mr Tinsley was one of my favored teachers @ CHS. He taught me Drivers Ed, and WECP! He lived his purpose in life by teaching with a strong passion,love and respect. He made a huge impact in my life. Mr Tinsley you will be missed. RIP
Larry Johnson
August 30, 2011
I was sad and hurt when i heard the news of Mr. Al Tinsley passing. he was a valued and thoughtful friend and customer at Martinas and Larrys Barber Shop. i'm sure gonna miss being his barber greatly. blessings to all his family and friends.
Jackie Estes
August 30, 2011
To the Tinsley Family:
"In all things give thanks!" Thank you for sharing Mr. Tinsley! He was simply. . . WONDERFUL! Caring, compassionate and encouraging. There is nothing that he would not do to encourage and help others. He has been a blessing to me in my spiritual and professional life. Mr. Tinsley will be missed!
Mark Lynch
August 30, 2011
To the entire Tinsley family, Mr. Tinsley was one of the finest men I ever had the privilege of knowing in my lifetime. Thoughts and prayers go out to you all during these trying times. May God bless you all!
Carolyn (Crenshaw) Rice
August 30, 2011
Ina & Family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. May the prayers and concerns of others sustain you during this difficult time.
Fannie Johnson
August 30, 2011
Ina,
I'm so sorry to hear of Al's passing. He was always so full of life. May God bless you and keep you during this difficult time.
Cassandra Murphy
August 30, 2011
Mr. Tinsley was a great teacher!!! He will be truly missed. To Lee, my classmate, you and your family will truly be in my prayers.
Ronald Sheffey/SFC/USAR
August 30, 2011
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Carmen Moody
August 30, 2011
I was saddened by the news he had gone away. I realize this is a price we all must one day pay. I can hold on to the memories of who you were. I know that all our lives have been richly blessed by your presence. He had a way oftouching everyone with his infectious smile. He provided our family with generosity and hospitality. He showed us how to look beyond the negatives to find positive reasons to stay bonded and strong as a family unit.
He opened his heart and his spirit to let each of us in without passing judgment or setting limits. Not one of us can say we don't share in the loss of his great Christian attitude. He was the guiding light that allowed us to see what it meant to be servants of God in spirit and truth. I shall forever cherish the love that was shared from one heart to another by this phenomenal man.
My heart goes out to Aunt Anna and the rest of the family. It is with deepest condolences that I send these expressions of sympathy and love. The greatest gifts we have in life are not those that are purchased. They are the gifts we receive from those who impact our lives with everlasting memories and lessons we can take with us through life.
With our deepest Love
Catherine, Trisha (Muffin), Wesley, Carlos and Carmen
Penny (Walkup) Guy
August 30, 2011
Mrs. Tinsley and Lee,
I am so sorry to hear the passing of Mr. Tinsley. He was such a nice man. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Andrew Collins
August 30, 2011
As his eye doctor, I will surely miss Mr. Tinsley as my patient. He was always joyful and a pleasure to work with.
Andrew Collins
Blue Ridge Ophthalmology
August 30, 2011
To the Tinsley Family, I would like to express my sadness in the passing of Al. We were in the Army Reserve together for almost two decades. He was my mentor and a good friend. I will always remember him for his since of humor and love of life. His influence on young and old soldiers helped make this world a better place to live. Jim Carpenter, Charlottesville,VA
Roxanne Jones
August 30, 2011
To the Tinsley Family
Mr. Tinsley was a great teacher, thanks to him I got my drivers license. He will be truly missed but the good memories will last a lifetime. May God be with you all during your time of loss.
Roxanne
Shirley Solomon Parrish
August 30, 2011
My dear friend, Ina,and family:
I cannot adequately express my sadness at Al's passing. I just want you to know that I will always remember his sharing nature, quiet humor and the laughter and good times we have all shared from time to time. May God be with all of you. I will be thinking you all.
With my love and prayers,
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