Thomas Albert Thornhill

Thomas Albert Thornhill, affectionately known as “Tommy,” son of Newell Benjamin Thornhill and Mildred Imogene (Conner) Thornhill was born December 28, 1934 in Lakeland, Florida, and left this earthly life on June 20, 2022 in Bryant, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother and one brother, George Conley Thornhill. He is survived by his wife of 63 happy years, Carol Ann (Hargraves) Thornhill, his siblings Helen Evelyn (Thornhill) King, Newell Benjamin Thornhill Jr., James Alwyn Thornhill, William Robert Thornhill, Charles Anthony Thornhill, Richard Columbus Thornhill, and Erma Jean (Thornhill) Lloyd; his three children: Ellen Kay (Thornhill) Hamilton; Thomas Albert Thornhill Jr; and Harold Benjamin Thornhill; grandchildren: Rena Michele (Hamilton) Gardana, Ronald Martin Hamilton, Jonathan Kelly Thornhill, Joshua Keith Thornhill, and Kelly Margaret Ann Thornhill; four great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Elizabeth Gardana, Nickolas Kaiden Gardana, Kaylie Rebekah Gardana, and Nolan Krist Gardana.

Tommy obeyed the gospel at the age of 12.  He grew up with God-fearing parents in a godly home, attending the Eagle Lake Church of Christ in Eagle Lake, Florida.

Tommy attended Florida (Christian) College beginning in 1952 where he decided to become a preacher. He preached his first sermon in 1953. After one year of college, he took a break to work to save up money to attend his second year. It was during this time that Tommy delivered milk to a grocery store where he met his Carol Ann. Tommy also worked part-time while he was in college, including preaching at a church in Sweetwater, FL.  Early on, he did various jobs while he also preached and when he first met and married Carol Ann Hargraves. 

Other places Tommy preached include: Cedar Key Florida; Williston, Florida; Spring Warrior Church of Christ near Perry, Florida; Trenton, Florida; McDill Avenue Church of Christ in Tampa, Florida; Bergen, Norway for 5 years (1966-1971); Antioch Church of Christ in Thonotosassa, Florida; Holly Hill, Florida (Daytona Beach area); 65^th Street Church of Christ in Little Rock, Arkansas; MacArthur Drive Church of Christ in Jacksonville, Arkansas (7 years); back to McDill Ave in Tampa, FL; Lake Wales, Florida (4 years); Buckhorn (30 miles southwest of Tupelo), Mississippi; Etna Church of Christ (8 miles south of Ozark), Arkansas until Tommy semi-retired and moved to Bryant so he and Carol could live with Ellen and James Hamilton where they could help him take care of Carol. Tommy helped James with the work at Highway 5, helping to teach in several studies each week and going to a study at the Bryant Senior Center at Bishop Park in Bryant. Tommy also became a regular with Don McLain on Searching for the Truth podcast, a work of the W. 65^th St. Church of Christ in Little Rock, until his passing.

During the past few decades, Tommy published a series of weekly bulletins that he distributed widely in both print and electronic forms.  With the announcement of his passing on social media pages these past few days, we have seen some of the spiritual impact he has had with hundreds of reactions and comments about him and his continued teaching via the written word.  We have heard from people around the world that he helped in many ways from time to time. Tommy believed in the unique power of the written word, especially God’s authoritative written word of The Scriptures. He has passed his faith and love down to his family with second and third generations following his example of dedicating his life to preaching and teaching the word of God to others. Now, Tommy has finished his earthly journey and has departed to be with Christ. He will be greatly missed. 

Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home.  Online guestbook:  www.SmithFamilyCares.com.