Gordon Murrell Tomlin

Gordon Murrell “Bur” Tomlin, lifelong resident of the Oakland Community and a person active in the agricultural, political, church and community activities of Fayette County for many years died Monday morning, July 1, 2013 in the comfort of his home. He was 84 years of age and died following an extended illness.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Tomlin were conducted at 3 P.M. Wednesday, July 3rd at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Stephanie Patton, pastor of the Oakland Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Tomlin was born April 28, 1929 in Memphis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Troy W. Tomlin and Evelyn Murrell Tomlin, early residents of the Oakland Community. He was a graduate of the Fayette County High School in Somerville and continued his education at the University of Tennessee and the University of Mississippi.

Mr. Tomlin was a lifelong farmer and ginner in Fayette County and served as Mayor of Oakland in earlier years. He had been a director of the Oakland Deposit Bank and served as a Fayette County Commissioner for 36 years. Mr. Tomlin was a lifelong member of the Oakland Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder for many years and participated in numerous church activities as long as health permitted. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sarah Ann Walters Tomlin who died August 23, 2007.

Mr. Tomlin is survived by three daughters, Meg Tomlin Britt (Jim) of Cordova, Margaret Ann Tomlin Rhea (Rube) of Somerville, Janet Tomlin Griffin (Tom) of Germantown; his son, Gordon Tomlin (Mary Lynne) of Oakland; his sister, Mary T. “Polly” Jennesse of Hollywood, FL; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Mr. Tomlin was preceded in death by his brother, William Mayo Tomlin and his sister, Louise Tomlin Cooley.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Jeffrey Cooley, Michael Jennesse, Troy Tomlin, Scott Rhea, Matt Rhea, Thomas Griffin and Wilson Tomlin.
Honorary casketbearers were Payson Matthews, Alex Moore, Thomas Howell Fowler, Shelton Wilder, Robert Hines and the Men of Oakland Presbyterian Church.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Oakland Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 198, Oakland, TN 38060.