By Staff
ATMORE – Tommy Douglas America Sr., 49, of Atmore died Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at home.
He was born in Atmore, on May 11, 1960. He is a 1979 graduate from Escambia County High School. He played the trombone in the Escambia County marching band. He worked at his father’s store as a teenager. In 1981, he married Audrey Bishop. With this union, they had four children. He worked as a dispatcher for the Atmore Police Department. He started with The Escambia County Sheriff department. He moved up the ranks to become Major of patrols deputies. Major America managed the west-end substation.
He was a kind, loving and compassionate man. He loved his wife and family dearly. He was the pastor of Saints With A Vision A.F.M. Church of God in Atmore. On Sunday, May 21, 1981, Tommy gave his life to Christ. He was saved and baptized under the leadership of Elder Minnie L. Frye. He held many titles in his local church; drummer, deacon, minister, elder and pastor. He started a mission in Bay Minette (Saints with A Vision) on Jan. 3, 2001.
On Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, he was installed as the pastor of formerly (St. Paul in Atmore). The fall of 2004 we became one church in one location. He remained faithful until his death. Bro. Tommy will be dearly missed by all.
Survivors include his devoted wife, Audrey, of 27 years 11 months and five days; four children, Martesha (Rafeal) Lee, Shatoyeria America, Talia (Levon) Wright III and Tommy Jr.; three grandchildren, Sierra, Olivia and Christian; his parents, William and Pauline America; two brothers, William C. America Jr. and James (Lesa) America; three sisters, Shirley Williams, Cynthia (Alton) Williams and Ellen Valenzuela; mother-in-law, Pastor Hattie Bishop and the late Louis Bishop; two devoted aunts, Ameila Brooks and Sarah Watson; a host of sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws; his church family and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers and friends.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Saturday, June 27, 2009 at Greater Mt. Triumph Missionary Baptist Church.