Thomas A. Hinson

Thomas "Tommy" A. Hinson, 90, passed away at his home on January 24, 2020. He was born on February 11, 1929 in Little Rock, Ark., to the late Longus V. and Nettia (Elkins) Hinson. He was the loving husband of Flora "Jo" (Little) Hinson for 71 years. Tommy was a lifetime pastor and knew from the very young age of 11 that God had called him to ministry. This is when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. At the age 15 he surrendered to the ministry and at 17 he was ordained. He received his schooling at the Southern Baptist College (1948), Baylor University (1952) and completed his education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He began his ministry in Little Rock at the Roland Baptist and Pilgrims Rest churches. He then moved to Brown's Chapel in Paragould. From there, he spread the word at churches in Waco, Texas, Altus, Okla., Wichita, Kan., Kensett, Ark., Paris, Ark., and West Memphis, Ark. Tommy served with the Washington Madison Association in Fayetteville. He worked at the Evangelism Explosion as Vice President of the U.S. and English Speaking Caribbean. Tommy was the President of Executive Board for Arkansas Baptist Convention, President of Arkansas Baptist Convention, Vice-President of Pastor's Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Board of Directors of the Baptist Hospital of Memphis, Tenn. In more recent years, he was the assistant pastor at Cross Church, and Interim Pastor at First Baptist Church in Rogers, Salisaw, Okla., and Paris, Ark. Altogether he was in the ministry until his passing encompassing 73 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; children, Lee Hinson and Paula Butler; grandson, Aaron Hinson and 12 brothers and sisters. Tommy is survived by his lovely wife, Jo Hinson of Rogers; daughter, Renee Burdick and husband, Steve of South Carolina; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Nettia Hale of Eldorado, Ark. A visitation will be held at First Baptist Church in Rogers, Pleasant Grove at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, with funeral to follow 1 p.m., in First Baptist Church. Burial will be private. Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, you may contribute to the Scholarship Fund at Williams Baptist University in Walut Ridge, Ark.