As a true testament for a life filled with prayer and dedication to God and God’s people, God allowed Apostle Vera Atkinson Tomlinson to be born for such a time as this. Apostle Vera Atkinson Tomlinson was born on July 7, 1952 in Goldsboro, NC to the late Walter Atkinson and the late Frances Anderson Atkinson. She grew up in a large family and she was the youngest of six siblings.

Apostle Vera attended Forest Hill High School and later graduated from Enloe High School in Raleigh, NC. Later she attended Johnston Community College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. There she met her husband, Willie Roy Tomlinson, and they were married for over 40 years. Apostle Vera worked at Fieldcrest, Channel Master, PCX Corporation and served as a substitute teacher in the Johnston County Public Schools. She served as a caregiver for many of her family members and truly believed that “whatever your hands find to do, do it mightily as unto the Lord.”

Apostle Vera committed her life to Christ at a very young age and served in many capacities in her home church, Bentonville Disciples of Christ Church. She was an avid singer and sang in the Women’s Choir. Subsequently, Apostle Vera transferred her membership to Hickory Grove Disciples of Christ Church. She was the first female to serve as a minister at Hickory Grove Church. She served in Hickory Grove and later Word of Faith Church in many capacities to include the following: Sunday School Teacher, Sunshine Band Director, Gospel Choir Director and Founder of the New Converts Class at the Word of Faith Church. As an evangelist, Apostle Vera quickly demonstrated that she was a prolific teacher of the Bible, teaching Bible Studies in various ministries on many subject areas including: Prayer, Praise and Worship and the gift of the Holy Spirit. She was the Praise and Worship Team Leader. As she made full proof of her ministry, Apostle Vera served in Prison Ministries in Johnston and Wayne Counties and she ministered on a television ministry in Selma, NC. Prior to accepting her call to Pastor and serve as an Apostle in the Lord’s Church, Apostle Vera served as a faithful member and one of the ministers at the Alpha and Omega Christian Center of Goldsboro, NC and she also sang on the choir. Apostle Vera served as the founder and Senior Pastor of the Rhema Word Deliverance Ministry of Clayton, NC. She was a woman of great influence and a much sought after teacher. She led many to Christ and taught them on how to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her siblings, Joyce A. Nixon, Howard D. Atkinson and Lissie Mae Parker and her son, Antonio Tomlinson. She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Ahmad Rashad Tomlinson (Tank), Tremeka Tomlinson Bayless (Meka) and her husband, Robert Keith Bayless, II and Juan Decarlos Tomlinson (Nookie); her grandchildren, Rashad Smith (Quan), Tyana Barefield (Ty, Ty), Robert Keith Bayless, III (KJ), and Quinlan Stacy; her surviving siblings, Walter Ray Atkinson and his wife, Joann Atkinson and Margarette Ray; her special aunt, Grace Benns of Bowie, MD and her special uncle, Glenn Atkinson of Hampton, VA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Well done God’s good and faithful servant!

Viewing:  Wednesday June 4, 2025, from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm in the Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremations Chapel 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd. Smithfield, NC 27577. 

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