Gratten E. Tomlinson

COLUMBIA — Reverend Gratten E. Tomlinson went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord on Sunday, July 26, 2009. Rev. Tomlinson, 78, was born in Wauchula, Florida, on April 20, 1931, to Rev. and Mrs. R. Perry Tomlinson. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at Shandon Baptist Church officiated by Dr. Marshall Edwards and Rev. Barry Gray with entombment in Bush River Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC.
 
Rev. Tomlinson was a graduate of the University of Miami and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary earning a Masters Degree in Religious Education. While in seminary, he was Minister of Music at Lakeview Baptist Church in New Orleans. He served as Minister of Music and Education at First Baptist Church, Homestead, Florida, First Baptist Church, Hialeah, Florida and King Street Baptist Church, Cocoa, Florida. He also serviced as Minister of Education at Ashley River Baptist Church, Charleston, South Carolina. He served on the General Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention in the Sunday School Department for 27 years until he retired in 1996. He served numerous churches in South Carolina as Interim Minister of Music including Bayview Baptist Church, First Baptist Church St. Matthews, First Baptist Church Gaston, St. Andrews Baptist Church, Northwood Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church Kershaw and Park Street Baptist Church.
 
Rev. Tomlinson created the handbook for Sunday School Growth Campaigns which he led in churches throughout South Carolina. He also led Sunday School Conferences at Ridgecrest Conference Center. He participated in mission trips to Brazil and the Grand Caymen Islands.
 
He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed playing tennis, handball and golf and enjoyed watching and attending other sports events. He enjoyed traveling extensively with his wife to foreign destinations such as Scotland, Paris and England and many other places throughout the United States. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a joke for every occasion. He loved his family dearly and was devoted to them. Each has special memories that will be cherished for years to come.
 
In civic life, he served as Chaplain of the Columbia Civitan Club and for 20 years on the Board of Directors of the YMCA. His hobby was model railroading and he was a member and past President of Associated Model Railroads of Columbia.
 
Rev. Tomlinson is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mrs. Pat Tomlinson; a brother, Charles (Peggy) Tomlinson of Greensboro, NC and a sister, Polly (Henry) Mote of Houston, TX. He is also survived by three children, Mr. Perry (Beverly) Tomlinson of Duluth, GA, Rev. Tim (Suzanne) Tomlinson of Ridgeland, SC and Mrs. Melissa (Robert) Jacobs of Columbia, SC. He is predeceased by his daughter, Mrs. Pamela Tomlinson. He is survived by eleven grandchildren, Kip (Allison) Tomlinson, Graydon (Heather) Tomlinson, Madison Tomlinson, Hunter Tomlinson, Griffin Tomlinson, Ashley Tomlinson, Kimberly Tomlinson, Lauren Roof, Travis Roof, Dylan Roof and Shelby Jacobs. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Anna and Creighton Tomlinson.
 
A special thank you to Dr. Steve Madden, Paula Cox, Terry Herbst and all the wonderful nurses in the Lexington Oncology Department for their compassionate care in his battle with cancer. Special thanks also to Marie, Cheryl and Teresa who provided care in the infusion center and to the nurses and caregivers with Hospice Care of Tri-County.
 
Memorials gifts may be given to the Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29648 and Hospice Care of Tri-County, 166 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, SC 29210.
 
www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.com