JoAnn Tomberlin

February 5, 1931 - May 10, 2013
JoAnn Tomberlin

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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.


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  • May 11, 2013
    Nancy Plante says:
    I will miss you, Dear Jody. You inspire me to be a loving, caring, and thoughtful child of Our Lord. Bless you for your love and friendship. My prayers are with you, Thea. May God keep you wrapped in His loving embrace and console you with His enduring love and grace.

  • May 12, 2013
    Susan Tyler says:
    I am so glad that I was witness to your life. You touched many lives and have left Thea and your friends with many sweet memories. Susan

  • May 12, 2013
    Madeleine Baker says:
    Jody has been my friend for 45 years. I met her and Thea when I first came to Galveston in 1968. We have worked together, played together, camped together on the Neches River, got poison ivy together, went to graduate school together. We have been in a flood together.l I bought their house when they left Galveston, and we remodeled a building together to go into practice together when they returned to Galveston. Jody has delighted me, infuriated me, supported me, filled my life with love. I will hold her in my heart and miss her always.

  • May 12, 2013
    Bobby Baker says:
    Dear Thea, Madeleine sent me the notice about Jody. I was privileged to have known her during my many Galveston trips and now my thoughts are with you at this time. Bobby

  • May 15, 2013
    Diane Denman and Debby Ratliff says:
    Many will be there to meet her