Mary Lou Tomlinson

Mary Lou Tomlinson, 75, of Valdosta, died Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Fellowship Home. Born in Cook County to the late Eddie Lee & Mattie Lou Bennett, she grew up in Sparks and attended Cook County High School. She met the love of her life, the late Billy Joe Tomlinson, while in high school. They married and moved to Valdosta to raise their family. Mary Lou began her career as a bookkeeper for Allied Building Material, moved to Concrete Metal Forms for a time, and then was hired by Joe Vallotton as a property manager for Vallorbe, Inc. She devoted her life to her work and retired after 30 years. Mrs. Tomlinson was also a loving mother and homemaker. After working all day, she devoted her evenings to assisting and supporting her children's activities and needs. She sewed costumes and kept her freezers full of fresh vegetables. Mary Lou enjoyed working and caring for her yard and grew beautiful flowers. Traveling was also a favorite pastime, and she visited other countries and states as often as she could. She was devoted to her family: her kids and especially her grandchildren. She loved her Lord Jesus and served the church, raising her children in Clyattville Baptist Church and finishing out her life at Crossroads Baptist Church.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Billy Wayne & Elissa Tomlinson of Valdosta; one daughter, Kay Tomlinson of Valdosta, one daughter and son-in-law, Donna Tomlinson & Rob Alger of Ray City; five grandchildren, Kenny Tomlinson of Roswell, Chase & Blair Tomlinson of Valdosta, Laekan Carter of Africa, Dalton Tomlinson of Valdosta, and Lexi Tomlinson of Valdosta. Also surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, Robert & Emma Bennett of Missouri, four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Bettye Yarborough of Valdosta, Vera & Tom McCarley of Carrolton, Melba & Gene Scarbrough of Tifton, and Sandra & Craig Birch of Palmdale, CA; two sisters-in-law, Clara & Bill Carter of Lake Park and Susie Bennett of Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Tomlinson, a brother, Ralph Bennett, and her best friend, Bonnie Lee.
The funeral service for Mrs. Tomlinson will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Mr. Tyson McLane and Rev. Ross Cook will officiate. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimers Association. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of Carson McLane Funeral Home at www.mclanecares.com.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602