Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
DeathAug 13, 2025, Gibsonville, Guilford County, North Carolina [32593]
BurialAlamance Memorial Park, 4039 S Church St, Alamance County, North Carolina [32593]
FatherCharlie Howard BARBER (1902-1991)
MotherCora Lee Violet WRENN (1903-1990)
Spouses
Obituary Online notes for “Frankie” Frances Elminia BARBER
Frances Barber Tomerlin
April 19, 1935 — August 13, 2025
Gibsonville
Frances Barber Tomerlin, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.
She was born in Alamance County to the late Howard Barber and Cora Lee Violet Wrenn Barber.
Frances was married for over 63 years to her beloved husband, Thomas Edward “Sonny” Tomerlin who passed away on December 15, 2021.
She was formerly employed by Glen Raven Mills. Frances enjoyed books, puzzles, gardening and canning. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Frances is survived by her children, Benita T. Chamberlain (Doug), Keith L. Tomerlin (Diane); grandchildren, Nathan Chamberlain, Amber Chamberlain, Zachery Tomerlin (Rebecca), Alexandra “Alex” Tomerlin and Leslie Harrill (Patrick) and great grandchildren, Logan Chamberlain, Hailey Chamberlain, Emerson Chamberlain, Parker Chamberlain, Amelia Tomerlin, Mackenzie Tomerlin, Jace Fitch, Piper Fitch and Kennedy Harrill.
The family would like to say a special “Thank You” to the nurses and staff at AuthoraCare Collective, formerly Hospice of Alamance-Caswell, for taking such good care of Frances.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow in Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 1:45 PM Tuesday prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital @ www.stjude.org/donate. [32593]
April 19, 1935 — August 13, 2025
Gibsonville
Frances Barber Tomerlin, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.
She was born in Alamance County to the late Howard Barber and Cora Lee Violet Wrenn Barber.
Frances was married for over 63 years to her beloved husband, Thomas Edward “Sonny” Tomerlin who passed away on December 15, 2021.
She was formerly employed by Glen Raven Mills. Frances enjoyed books, puzzles, gardening and canning. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Frances is survived by her children, Benita T. Chamberlain (Doug), Keith L. Tomerlin (Diane); grandchildren, Nathan Chamberlain, Amber Chamberlain, Zachery Tomerlin (Rebecca), Alexandra “Alex” Tomerlin and Leslie Harrill (Patrick) and great grandchildren, Logan Chamberlain, Hailey Chamberlain, Emerson Chamberlain, Parker Chamberlain, Amelia Tomerlin, Mackenzie Tomerlin, Jace Fitch, Piper Fitch and Kennedy Harrill.
The family would like to say a special “Thank You” to the nurses and staff at AuthoraCare Collective, formerly Hospice of Alamance-Caswell, for taking such good care of Frances.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow in Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 1:45 PM Tuesday prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital @ www.stjude.org/donate. [32593]
Obituary Online notes for Thomas Edward (Spouse 1)
12/16/2021
Thomas "Sonny" Edward Tomerlin
October 19, 1936 ~ December 15, 2021 (age 85)
Thomas “Sonny” Edward Tomerlin, 85, passed away peacefully at his home. He was born in Morgan County in Alabama on October 19, 1936 to the late Malcolm Edward and Mabeleen Mitchell Tomerlin and was the husband of 63 years to Frances Barber Tomerlin of the home.
Sonny was most at home when he was on a softball field (either playing or umpiring behind the plate). His other true love was spending time in the field quail or deer hunting. He also enjoyed being on a tractor farming and riding his grandchildren around. He served his country in the Air Force as a radio operator. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Frances; daughter, Benita T. Chamberlain (Doug) of Elon; son, Keith L. Tomerlin (Diane) of Greensboro; grandchildren: Nathan Chamberlain (Laura), Amber Chamberlain, Zachery Tomerlin (Rebecca), Alexandra “Alex” Tomerlin and Leslie Harrill (Patrick); great grandchildren: Aden Nance, Logan Chamberlain, Hailey Chamberlain, Emerson Chamberlain, Parker Chamberlain, Amelia Tomerlin and McKenzie Tomerlin; sisters: Nancy Teeples (James), Joyce Gunter and Carolyn Shelton. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Jeanette Ogea; and three brothers-in-laws: Paul Gunter, Tommy Shelton and George Ogea.
A service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM with the interment to follow at Alamance Memorial Park. Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 till 2:00 PM at Lowe Funeral Home. Other times the family will be at the residence.
You may sign online condolences at www.lowefuneralhome.com. [32598]
Thomas "Sonny" Edward Tomerlin
October 19, 1936 ~ December 15, 2021 (age 85)
Thomas “Sonny” Edward Tomerlin, 85, passed away peacefully at his home. He was born in Morgan County in Alabama on October 19, 1936 to the late Malcolm Edward and Mabeleen Mitchell Tomerlin and was the husband of 63 years to Frances Barber Tomerlin of the home.
Sonny was most at home when he was on a softball field (either playing or umpiring behind the plate). His other true love was spending time in the field quail or deer hunting. He also enjoyed being on a tractor farming and riding his grandchildren around. He served his country in the Air Force as a radio operator. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Frances; daughter, Benita T. Chamberlain (Doug) of Elon; son, Keith L. Tomerlin (Diane) of Greensboro; grandchildren: Nathan Chamberlain (Laura), Amber Chamberlain, Zachery Tomerlin (Rebecca), Alexandra “Alex” Tomerlin and Leslie Harrill (Patrick); great grandchildren: Aden Nance, Logan Chamberlain, Hailey Chamberlain, Emerson Chamberlain, Parker Chamberlain, Amelia Tomerlin and McKenzie Tomerlin; sisters: Nancy Teeples (James), Joyce Gunter and Carolyn Shelton. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Jeanette Ogea; and three brothers-in-laws: Paul Gunter, Tommy Shelton and George Ogea.
A service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM with the interment to follow at Alamance Memorial Park. Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 till 2:00 PM at Lowe Funeral Home. Other times the family will be at the residence.
You may sign online condolences at www.lowefuneralhome.com. [32598]