| |
 |
|
| Name: |
Rev. Dr. Lehman Robert Tomlin, Jr.
|
| Date: |
December 14th, 1935 - December 11th, 2009
|
| Obituary: |
“God has not promised that the path of life will be easy,
but He has promised to walk with us.”
Reverend Dr. Lehman Robert Tomlin, Jr. was born December 14, 1935 in Youngstown, Ohio to the late Lehman R. Tomlin, Sr. and Willeen D. Tomlin.
After graduating from South High School in Youngtown, Ohio, Dr. Tomlin served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. After serving his country, Dr. Tomlin earned his Bachelor’s degree from Central State University (CSU) and CSU is where he also became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. In addition, he earned his Master of Education and Doctorate degrees from University of Pittsburgh and completed his seminary studies at Drew University Theological School receiving his Master of Divinity degree.
Dr. Tomlin’s pastoral appointments included: 1) Handy’s Charge; Marion Station, Maryland 2) Lincoln-Milford-Harrington Charge; (Wesley Chapel, St. Paul and Metropolitan United Methodist Church), 3) Waugh United Methodist Church; Cambridge, MD, 4) Snow Hill Charge; (Ebenezer, Hutts and Friendship United Methodist Church) – Snow Hill, MD and Zoar United Methodist Church –Selbyville, DE.
While serving as Council Director of the Peninsula Delaware Conference he was elated with the prospect of serving the Lord and the Church in that role. He stated, “It enabled me to experience new ways of doing the gospel and at the same time deepening my commitment to the Lord.”
As Chaplain for Wesley College, in Dover, Delaware he enjoyed having worship services for the holidays such as Easter and Christmas, and while teaching at Wesley, he valued helping students to appreciate and understand the history of Christianity.
His professional experiences included: 1) Associate Professor and Chairman of Industrial Education and Technology at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES); 2) Senior Teaching Fellow - University of Pittsburgh; 3) Assistant Professor and Chairman of Engineering Technologies, Community College of Beaver County, PA; and 4) Part-time Lecturer at the University of Maryland College, College Park.
Dr. Tomlin’s professional and community involvement included: 1) Director of Missions, Dover District, and President of the Dover District Ministers; 2) Board of Directors, Tri-Conference United Methodist Construction Services, Inc; 3) Council on Finance and Administration, Peninsula Delaware Conference; 4) President of Lake Forest Ministerial Association; 5) President, Milford Ministerial Association; 6) Member of Milton Ministerial Association; 7) President of the Dorchester Ministerial Association; 8) Chairman of Milford Area Black Advocates for Action Coalition; and 9) Lake Forest Area Committee on Quality Education and Milford School District, Community Task Force.
He served as: 1) Director of the Board on Church & Society; 2) Chairman, Easton District Council on Ministries; 3) Chairman, Easton District Apportionment Review Committee; 4) Vice President, The Good Shepherd’s Association; 4) Chairman, Board of Directors of Dorchester Community Development Corp.; 5) President, Interfaith Housing Development Corporation; 6) Board of Directors, Dorchester General Hospital; 7) President, Fassett-McGee Community Health Center; 8) Commissioner of the Dorchester County Foster Care; 9) Governor’s Commission on Neighborhoods; 10) Committee on Investigation; and 11) Faculty member, Northeastern Jurisdiction, Local Pastors’ School.
Dr. Tomlin was known for his energetic praises such as “Hello”, “Oh Yeah!” and “Thank Ya!” during his sermons. He was devoted to bible study which empowered him and others who love the Lord to express that love by “doing the gospel”. He enjoyed a variety of music such as jazz, classical and gospel. Whatever the occasion, Tomlin enjoyed delicious church dinners that consisted of traditional soul food cooking. A spirited University of Pittsburgh or Pittsburgh Steelers football game was enjoyment for him as well.
Lehman was preceded in death by his parents, sister (Katherine), and brother (Wesley). He leaves to cherish his memory: wife of twenty-two years, Lorraine Williams Tomlin; two sons - Lehman Tomlin, III (aka Bobby) and Martin Tomlin; two daughters Jani Eldemire (Rupert) and Charis Tomlin (who he fondly called “Weebee”); Seven grandchildren – Amber, Valon, Nickoelus, Jeremiah, Joceyln, Tyrel and Janee’; Two great grandchildren –Jansia and Zyon; Two aunts – Geraldine Ingram and Mary Richardson; One stepson – Jon Cephas (Vanessa); two stepdaughters- Lisa Cephas and Cheryl Cephas; two sisters-in-law, Florence Williams and Pearl Williams; brother-in-law Michael S. Williams, Sr.
|
| Cemetery: |
Old Hickory Cemetery
Slaughter Neck, DE (map/driving directions)
|
| Services: |
In-state at 9:00AM, Service at 11:00AM at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 19th, 2009 (map/driving directions)
|
|
|
|
|
