JoAnn Tomberlin

The Reverend Deacon JoAnn ìJodyî Tomberlin, 82, of Hendersonville passed away on May 10, 2013 at Spring Arbor West in Laurel Park, after a period of declining health.

She was born in Minden, LA in 1931. ìJodyî served as a deacon in the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family in Mills River from 2010 until her retirement in 2012.

Jody had a successful career as both Physical Therapist and teacher for more than fifty years. She graduated from Texas Womenís University in 1952, Baylor University School of Physical Therapy in 1953 and received her Masters Degree from Stanford University in 1960. Jody was a Partner in Physical Therapy Services, a private practice in Galveston, TX, and Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston from 1984 to 2009. She was the recipient of the prestigious Ruby Decker Award for outstanding Physical Therapist of Texas in 1987.

In 2009, Jody graduated from The Iona School of Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, was ordained a Deacon that year and served at St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church, Galveston, TX. In the fall of 2009, Jody moved to North Carolina and was called to be Deacon at Holy Family.

Jody had an active life serving others and her community. She was on the Vestry of Grace Church in Galveston, and on numerous non-profit boards. She was a life-long member of the American Physical Therapy Association and a member of the order of the Daughters of the King.

Jody is survived by her beloved life partner of fifty years, Dorothea îTheaî Everett and her brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Barb Everett and their family, as well as many loving friends in Galveston, TX and the Hendersonville Area

A memorial service will be at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family, 419 Turnpike Rd., Mills River on Wednesday, May 15 at 3:00 pm with Bishop Porter Taylor, Arch Deacon Kristi Neal, the Reverend Robert Lundquist, the Reverend Posy Jackson and Deacon Diane Livingston Assisting. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in Jodyís honor to The Episcopal Church of the Holy Family 419 Turnpike Rd., Mills River, NC 28759; Four Seasons Compassion for Life 571 South Allen Rd. Flat Rock , NC 28731; The Tiggís Pond Retreat Center 111 Fiddlehead Lane Zirconia, NC 28790.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.