Tommie was born August 8, 1922 in Faison, NC, daughter of Mollie and Thomas Latham. Tommie graduated from nursing school in Wilmington, NC. She was the devoted wife of Gerald W. Gingrich, “Ike”, who preceded her in death on October 16, 2002, after 56 years of marriage.
Tommie joined the Army as an officer assigned to a hospital ship during World War II in the Atlantic Theater, where she met and later married Ike. They lived in Georgia and North Carolina where Ike worked as a general surgeon and later as an anesthesiologist. Tommie enjoyed being a full time mother and engaging in community service. When they moved to Charlotte in 1972 and joined First Presbyterian Church, Tommie served in many ways. She was a volunteer when Henry Bridges founded the Community School of the Arts. She worked with Loaves and Fishes and Friendship Trays. Tommie was awarded a Life Membership by Presbyterian Women with which she served as circle moderator and energetic member. She was a founding member of the Serendipity Book Club, organized in June 1964. Tommie was very generous and touched many lives. She liked to include people, and not leave any one out. She lived her life with great courage, enthusiasm, and zest for life – joie de vivre! She will be missed by many.
Tommie is survived by her daughter, Gerry Gingrich of Washington, DC; sons, Tom of Asheville, NC; Art of Charlotte, NC; Ike of Albuquerque, NM; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 27 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Trade St., Charlotte, NC. A reception will follow in the Wood Fellowship Hall. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington Cemetery, Washington, DC where she will be buried with her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “The Gingrich Fund”, c/o First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18