Welcome! Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Login | Register
   

Addie Clyde Tomblin, age 88

Comment     Print
Related Articles

Addie Clyde Tomblin, age 88, of Spindale passed away March 31, 2015.

He was born August 2, 1926 in Rutherford County to the late Charles Columbus Tomblin and late Della Morgan Tomblin.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet Ligon Tomblin; brothers, L.G., Elbert and Charles; and granddaughters, Eryn and Katelyn Tomblin

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patricia Stalnaker Tomblin; daughter, Jennifer Perry Spearman; son, Toby Tomblin and wife, Sharon; and son, Dale Tomblin and wife, Lisa; stepdaughter, Sandy Morgan Good and husband, Dan; and Debbie Morgan Edwards and husband, Billy; and Gay Morgan Bowen; and stepson Jerry Morgan; 6 grandchildren-Josh Perry and wife, Corie; Aaron Perry and wife, Haley, Allison Tomblin Lyles and husband, Will;  Faith Tomblin; Meredith Tomblin Overcash and husband, Steve; and Caleb Tomblin; 8 step-grandchildren; 8great-grandchildren; and 3 step-great-grandchildren.

Life was not easy on the old Spindale Mill Hill village, but Clyde had great memories of both the hardships and the fun.  In his own words, he was “proud to be a linthead.”  His love for Spindale endured his whole life long.

Clyde had never been out of the state of North Carolina until he graduated from high school and was drafted into the Army in 1944.  After basic training, he served in the Philippines during World War II with the 96th Division and the 86th Division.  He achieved the rank of T/5.

After returning from the war, he attended Gardner Webb College for a short time and then transferred to Wofford College where he finished his undergraduate degree.  While at Wofford, Clyde and Janet’s wedding was the first ever held in the Wofford College Chapel.  After college, he applied for law school at Wake Forest, Carolina, Duke and Columbia University.  Although he was accepted at all four schools, he chose Wake Forest- “GO DEACS!”  He graduated from Wake Forest School of Law in June of 1952 and passed the NC State Bar in August that same year.

Clyde began practicing law in Spindale that same year and continued until his retirement in 2006.  During his career, he served as lawyer for the Town of Spindale for 31 years.  A project that he was particularly proud of was the building of the present disposal plant, pump stations, and new sewer lines.  He also served his community as President of the Spindale Jaycees, Vice-President of the NC Jaycees, on the Board of Directors of the NC League of Municipalities, Chairman of the March of Dimes, President of the Rutherford County Republican party, and was President of the Rutherford County Bar Association. He was also one of the original trustees of Isothermal Community College and was a founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation at ICC until his death.

In 1959, Clyde and Legislator Tolliver Davis, also of Rutherford County, drew a proposed Industrial Development Law to be presented to the NC Legislature.  The law was passed, and the Rutherford County Industrial Commission was born.  He served on the commission from its inception to its demise in 1994.  This commission was instrumental in bringing new industry to Rutherford County.

In April, 1935, Clyde gave his life to Jesus and was baptized into the membership of Spencer Baptist Church.  He served as Chairman of the Deacons, taught Sunday School, Chairman of the Building Committee, and church moderator.  In his own words, he “tried to live for Him all of my life.”

Clyde believed that his greatest asset was his family.  He and Janet enjoyed raising their family in Spindale and were always involved in community happenings.  He was the first male president of the Spindale Elementary PTA.  The Tomblin family enjoyed traveling to many places in the United States and internationally.  He always told his children that he would not leave them a lot of money, but he would leave them with many memories.

Clyde and Janet were happily married for 61 years until her death in 2010.  They were always full partners, not only in marriage but in Clyde’s law practice, with Janet serving as his secretary and office manager.  Prior to her death, Janet told their children that, if he got lonely after her death, he should see Pat Morgan Lindsey. Their families had been next-door neighbors for many years.  Being the good husband that he was, he took Janet’s advice, began to see Pat, and married her in June 2011.  They enjoyed almost 4 years of loving companionship. 

A celebration of life was held at Spencer Baptist Church. The Revs. Bruce Caldwell and Billy Vaughn officiated.  There will be no burial service since Clyde’s wish was that his body be donated to Wake Forest’s Bowman Gray School of Medicine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Save the Wall Building Project or Children’s Ministry at Spencer Baptist Church, 187 N. Oak St. Spindale, NC  28160.

Crowe’s Mortuary is serving the family. 

Read more from:
Obituaries
Tags: 
None
Share: 
Comment      Print

Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: