Emma Jane (Hackney) Tomlinson

Emma Jane Tomlinson, 93, passed from this life to eternity on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. She died as she had lived; peacefully at home in Macclenny. Jane was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on June 8, 1926, to the late Robert Henry Hackney and Bessie Geneva Byrd Hackney. She outlived a large family of nine sisters and one brother by many years, referring to herself as the Lone Ranger. Jane was a homemaker and by all definitions, was a Proverb 31 virtuous woman. She loved the Lord and His word. Her first priority was taking care of others, before herself. She was known and loved as Granny to many more than those who were biologically hers. She enjoyed sewing, was an avid reader and always had a puzzle out to work on. Back in the day she loved gardening and hosting get-togethers in her home, scurrying behind the scenes to make sure there was always enough. She was kind and gentle, tough when she needed to be and loved being in the middle of her family more than anything on earth. She was a long-time member of Raiford Road Church and in recent years also attended First Baptist Church of Cuyler. For many decades she served faithfully at Marietta Baptist Church where she met her husband, raised her family and had many lifelong friends. Though we will miss her, we rejoice in her home going. Jane moved to Jacksonville in 1952 and married the great love of her life Robert Lee Tomlinson who preceded her in death in 1997. After her husband’s passing in 1997, she moved to Macclenny to be closer to her daughters and enjoy the country life. 
She is survived by Robert's sons James and Bobby Tomlinson of Jacksonville; their daughters Cathy (Sam) Mendolera, Tonda (Eddie) Griffis of Macclenny and Angela (Dave) Law of Stuart’s Draft, VA; grandchildren Jimmy (Debra) Tomlinson, Lee (Karen) Tomlinson and Cherine Tomlinson Pritchard all of Jacksonville, Teresa (Duane) Charles of Townsend, TN, Jordan Griffis, Lacey (Brent) Ruis, Joel (Abby) Griffis and Rita Mendolera all of Macclenny; as well as numerous great and great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020, at Raiford Road Church, 9201 County Road 121 S, with Pastor Eddie Griffis officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Graveside service will be held at Fender Cemetery in Lakeland, GA later that day.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of BLACKBURN-CURRY FUNERAL AND CREMATION, 380 N. Lowder Street, Macclenny, FL 32063. (904) 259-2806. Please sign the guestbook at www.blackburncurryfh.com.

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