Rev. Dr Tommie Lee Mims

Obituary for Elder Dr. Tommie Lee Mims

Sunrise 11/25/1948 – Sunset 9/7/2018

Elder Dr. Tommie Lee Mims, the 7th child of C. D. and Mary Etta Mims, was born on November 25, 1948 in Bay Minette, Alabama. He received his formal education from Baldwin County Schools graduating from Douglasville High School in 1966. With the love, guidance and nurturing of his parents, Dr. Mims accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of seven while attending Union Baptist Church in Bay Minette, AL.  This love for God and music would grow throughout his lifetime. 

After high school, Dr. Mims found that his love for music would lead him to Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama to study music, but by 1967, the North (specifically Milwaukee, WI) compelled him to relocate and join his siblings.  He was actively involved in the music ministry as a vocalist, musician, and choir director at the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Milwaukee, WI.  It was during this time that he met and subsequently married the love of his life, the former Evelyn Sue Jacobs, on August 30, 1969.  Their unbreakable 49-year bond was blessed with four children: Venisha Scherryl, Tory LaRan, Terrell LaVon, Thomas LaVior.

During the Vietnam War, Dr. Mims enlisted with the United States Coast Guard in 1970. He faithfully served his country until 1974.  It was during this time that a conversation with an avowed atheist challenged him to defend and explain his faith.  The call of God on his life could no longer be ignored, and he announced his calling to the ministry on May 12, 1974 at the age of 25.  Dr. Mims was licensed to preach on June 9, 1974 at Metropolitan MBC in Milwaukee, WI, and ordained on November 30, 1975 at Mt. Zion MBC in Oak Ridge, TN. 

Believing that education is paramount for success in any area, Dr. Mims received his Bachelor of Theology Degree from American Baptist College and Theological Seminary, Nashville, TN in 1977 graduating Magnum Cum Laude. He also attended the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, IL (1977-1979).  In 1998, he was bestowed with a Doctor of Divinity from the North American School of Theology in Winter Haven, FL. In 2005, he earned the Master of Ministry Degree, and in 2006, he completed his Doctor of Ministry Degree from North American School of Theology in Winter Haven, Florida.

Dr. Mims’ love for the Word of God and His people opened the door for him to serve four churches during his 44 years of ministry:  Lester’s Chapel Baptist Church, Guthrie, KY (1975-1977); Calvary Baptist Church, Milwaukee, WI (1978-1982); Calvary MBC, Houston, TX (1982-1990); Mt. Zion MBC, Oak Ridge, TN (1990-present).

Dr. Mims’ passion for the spreading of the Gospel was evidenced by his numerous revivals, workshops, seminars, and lectures across the country, throughout the Islands of the Caribbean, and around the world.  He was an instructor of Homiletics, Hermeneutics, and Old Testament Theology at the Knoxville Interdenominational Bible Institute, and he was an adjunct professor for the Caribbean, African, and U.S. Division of the North American School of Theology.  He was involved in the establishment of education for preachers in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, The Congo, and Tanzania.  Additionally, he taught at the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Educational State Convention, and many other state conventions and District Associations across the state of Tennessee and around the United States.  He served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The North American School of Theology.  He also served as the Director of Christian Education for the Knoxville Baptist District Association and The East Region Director of Missions, and recently the Congress President for the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention.  He was heavily involved in Missions and Evangelism through witnessing, the planting of churches and building widow houses among the Masai tribe in southern Kenya and Tanzania, the digging of wells and support for Orphanages in East Africa. His greatest joy was the conversion and baptism of an unbelieving society to faith in the One True God.

Dr. Mims served as the Co-founder and president of “S.A.F.E” Conference (The acrostic S.A.F.E. stands for Scholarship, Apologetics, Fellowship, and Evangelism) – This conference serves to prepare Christian workers by encouraging Scholarly Education and equipping them with the ability to defend the doctrines of the Faith.

On September 7, 2018, Dr. Mims answered the call to enter eternal rest in the bosom of Jesus. His infectious smile and hearty laugh at his own jokes will be missed by all.  He is preceded in death by both parents, C.D and Mary Etta Mims; son, Tory LaRan Mims; sisters, Catherine Mims and Mary Emmons; nieces, Angela McDuffie, Ursula Roberts, and Carla Mims; father-in-law, Luther Jacobs, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Carter and Ruby Mims; brother-in-law, Luther Jacobs, Jr.

He leaves to treasure his precious memory a loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Evelyn S. Mims; his only daughter, Venisha (LaMonte) Williams of Houston, TX; two sons, Pastor Terrell (Tiffany) Mims and Thomas Mims of Oak Ridge, TN; two grand-daughters, Destiny Kelly and Ajah Mims of Oak Ridge, TN; one grandson, Xavier Williams of Houston, TX; six sisters, Emma (Andrew) Washington of Cleveland, OH, Rosetta (John) Cannon of Bay Minette, AL, Edna (Charlie) Stott, Elaine (Willie) January, Shanavia White, and Fayetta Williams, all of Bay Minette, AL; two brothers, Clarence Mims and Larry (Wanda) Mims of Milwaukee, WI; a very special mother-in-law, Catherine Jacobs of Milwaukee, WI; sisters-in-law, Pamela (Eddie) Read of Milwaukee, WI and Petrina (Lawrence) Johnson of Louisville, KY; six god-children; Bridgette Cocroft  and LaQuianda Metcalf of Milwaukee, WI, Elder Kenneth Gold, Jr. of Houston, TX, Jadon Short of Norfolk, VA, Keanna Fajemirokun of Oak Ridge, TN and Braxton Johnson of Louisville, KY; a special son and daughter, Anthony Scales and Laquitta Carpenter; many beloved nieces, nephews, and family members; and countless friends and fellow laborers of the Gospel.

Friday, September 14, 2018, the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. followed by a Tribute Service at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.  Elder Lloyd C. Jones, Pastor of Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, Sweetwater, TN presiding. 

 Saturday, September 15,2018, a Celebration of Life and Legacy will begin at 12:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 163 N. Jefferson Circle, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.  Dr. Hardil Thomas, Associate Minister, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Oak Ridge, TN presiding and Elder Joe B. Maddox, Pastor, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Knoxville, TN as the Eulogist.  Interment will immediately follow at Oak Ridge Memorial Park where full military honors and white dove release will conclude the service.  Flowers may be delivered to the church on Friday after 1:00 p.m. Professional arrangements entrusted to Patton Funeral Home, Brian L. Buckmon, LFD 1-800-824-8283.

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