Terri Tomlin

Terri Gohn Tomlin, 69, of Jackson passed away Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her family and friends.

She was born Oct. 14, 1954, in Cape Girardeau to Joe and Helen Gohn. Terri and Mike Tomlin were married Sept. 16, 1978, in Jackson.

She graduated from Jackson High School in 1973 and attended Southeast Missouri State University, graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After working alongside her husband at his personal insurance office, she was employed with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield as a customer service representative and business analyst from 1997 to 2007 before retiring.

As a lifelong Jackson resident, Terri was an enormous supporter of the Jackson School District. From 2002 to 2017, she served on the Jackson School Board, with the latter half of those years as board president. She served on the board of directors for the Jackson R-2 School Foundation as well as the Missouri School Board Association. She was a devoted supporter of Jackson athletics, especially football, for which she attended or listened to hundreds of games over her lifetime.

In 2015, Terri was the recipient of the R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award. Bestowed by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, the award is given to an individual who has dedicated his or her life to the advancement of Jackson, something Terri took tremendous pride in.

She was a lifelong member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, where she served on the staff/parish relations committee, education committee and board of trustees. She also served on the Old McKendree Chapel Board of Trustees since 1987.

Terri had a long fascination with genealogy and ancestral studies. She was former president of Cape Girardeau County Genealogical Society, a volunteer at Cape Girardeau County History Center and a member of City of Jackson Historic Preservation Commission. She was also the recipient of the Jackson Heritage Award in 2007.

She was a 25-year member and chapter president of American Business Women’s Association, John Guild Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution regent, lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America and P.E.O. Chapter LA past president. She was a longtime member of Miss Jackson Scholarship Board and assisted with the annual Miss Jackson Pageant and attended several Miss Missouri Pageants.

Like her father, Joe, Terri was a diehard fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and watched or listened to nearly every game each season. She enjoyed watching most any football game and was a longtime fan of competitive figure skating (“triple Salchow!”).

Along with her husband, Mike, Terri had great travel adventures abroad to Italy, France, Germany, Peru, Hawaii and Spain, as well as yearly trips to Florida to watch Cardinals spring training games. She greatly enjoyed spending time with her friends group — “The Hens” — as well as her many other friend circles. She was an avid reader and cooking show fan. She loved hearing updates about her wonderful grandkids, as well as her “granddog”, Ringo.

Survivors include her mother, Helen Gohn, and sister, Karen (Stu) Garrison of Jackson; children, Josh (Susan) Tomlin of Cape Girardeau, Suzanne (Mark) Beall of Morrison, Colorado, and Michelle (Steven) Ross of Brentwood; grandchildren, Regan, Camryn and Kendall Beall of Morrison and Alec Turner and Anna Ross of Brentwood; nephews, Zachary (Liz) Garrison of St. Louis and Hunter Garrison of Jackson; and sister-in-law, Joey Tomlin of Jefferson City.

Terri was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Tomlin; father, Joseph Gohn; brother, Michael; and brother-in-law John.

The family is eternally grateful for the in-home caregivers and nurses who treated them as family, Saint Francis Hospice for its care and compassion and the numerous friends who pitched in with meals, chores and companionship over the years.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at New McKendree Church on High Street in Jackson, with the funeral to immediately follow at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorial donations may be given to Jackson R-2 School Foundation, New McKendree United Methodist Church and ALS Association, St. Louis Chapter, designated for the angel fund or respite care.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.