Reverend Albert Wray Tomlin (“Wray”), age 79, passed away on March 17, 2014, in Birmingham, Alabama, surrounded by family. Born December 24, 1934, in Franklin, Tennessee, to Albert Lee and Lanie Wray Tomlin, he is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Margaret Harper Tomlin, son Albert Wray Tomlin, Jr. (Carol) of Birmingham, daughter Michelle Tomlin Pendley (Tony) of Birmingham, son Stephen Lee Tomlin (Leigh Ann) of Clearwater, Florida, son Christopher Wray Tomlin of Birmingham, 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, sister Thelma Rebecca Fly of Franklin, Tennessee, and many nieces, nephews, extended family and adoring friends. Wray’s devotion to his family and the work of the Lord were unwaivering.
Wray graduated from Martin Methodist College and Middle Tennessee State University, and earned his Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He fulfilled his lifelong commitment to Christ as an ordained minister in numerous local churches from 1961 until 1974 in the Middle Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church. He continued his ministry through his works in the field of long term care until 2011, as the President of Methodist Homes of Alabama and northwest Florida, where he served for 32 years. He dedicated his life to taking care of those he affectionately called “God’s Older Children”. Never losing his genuine love for preaching the word of God, Wray continued his many years of teaching Sunday School well after his retirement from the ministry. A humble and gentle man, his caring spirit touched countless lives.
The family will receive visitors at Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road in Birmingham, on Thursday, March 20, 2014, from 9 until 11 a.m. Funeral services will follow in the sanctuary at 11 a.m., with internment at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham immediately after. Wray’s grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include the members of the Board of Trustees of Methodist Homes, ministers of Canterbury United Methodist Church, and members of the Canterbury J.O.Y. and John Wesley Sunday School classes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Methodist Homes Fountain of Love Fund, 1520 Cooper Hill Road, Birmingham, Alabama, 35210.
Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.
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