The Rev. Tommie Gene “Tom” Grissom, 84, of Kingsland, passed away Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Senior Care Center in St. Marys.
Born in Fulton, MS March 27, 1938, he had lived in Cleveland, TN for many years before moving to Blackshear to live with his son, Kevin Grissom. He had recently moved to St. Marys to be near his son following his move to Kingsland. A 1956 graduate of Zion Benton High School in Zion, IL, he worked as the produce manager for Kroger in Waukegan, IL for nine years before accepting the call into fulltime ministry in 1965. The Rev. Grissom founded the Zion Church of God where he pastored for nine successful years and moved to Bridgeview Church of God where he pastored 12 years. He would go on to make the move into administration by becoming the Administrative Bishop where he moved to the Alaska/Bristish Columbia Territory. From there he would go to the Great Lakes region consisting of Illinois and Wisconsin. He was then appointed to the position of Administrator of the Heart of Florida Youth Ranch where he would retire in March, 2000.
The Rev. Grissom enjoyed playing golf – a lot – as well as traveling.
He was a son of the late Roland Ira and Edna Mae Davis Grissom. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Patty Carter Grissom; his second wife, Judy Waits Grissom; a son, Mark Grissom; four sisters, Lorene Patterson, Juanita Baker, Mae Wingard and Maxine Grissom and a brother, Royce Grissom.
Survivors include his son, Kevin Grissom, Kingsland; a brother, Owel (Barb) Grissom, Birmingham, AL; his grandson, Greg (Hannah) Grissom; a great-grandson, Dean Tommie Grissom and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, from the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Cleveland, TN, with Dr. Tim Hill, Dr. Tom Frye and Dr. Gary Lewis officiating.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
