Psalm 84: 10,12

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; i would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of sin.

"Jimmy" or "Mr. Jimmy" was born January 8, 1930 in Hanover, Virginia.  He is the 4th of five children born to Frank and Nanny Tunstall.  He attended school at Calvary Episcopal Church School in Hanover.  He was devotedly married to the late Arlene "Addie" Smithers on March 15, 1953, and they were married for 55 years.  He has one daughter, June Elaine Tunstall-Crump of Chicago, IL; an adoptive brother and sister that his parents raised as their own and a host of nieces and nephews.

Jimmy worked and retired from Joseph L. Burruss Burial Vault Company after 41 years.  Prior to that, he worked on the family's farm, and in a sawmill in Ashland.  He has always been a hard working man, and started working as a young boy.  Because of the nature of his last job, he has traveled through various counties, and knows where most churches are located and who their pastors are.  With that wealth of knowledge, he will give you the best directions to anywhere you need to go.  He can give you detailed information such as where a grove of trees will be, but will usually give you a church as a landmark to look for.

Uncle Jimmy was quiet by nature, and observant, but possesses a great sense of humor.  He was a jolly and lively person.  He loved to talk to you about the places he had gone and the people he had met and knows.  He loved his cars, Pepsi Cola, Ice Cream and Cookies, watching Sanford and Son, and visiting family and friends.  Always on time and well dressed for church, either in his usher's uniform or suit, shirt and tie, with a hat to match.

He was a devout and loyal person.  He was a very humble and generous man; he will do anything to help you.  And there was no task too small or too big.  He loved the Lord, Providence Church, his pastor, and church family.  He had been an active member in the church since he was baptized as a young boy, in the creek just down the road from the church.  He served as an usher for many, many years.  Perhaps Jimmy may be one of the oldest living ushers at Providence?  Every Homecoming on the 1st Sunday in September, you can always count on him to be present to help park cars.  Always taking his work at the church serious, he took great pride in being an usher, and viewed it as an honor.

Jimmy was known through the community , familiar with most families in Hanover, Ashland, Caroline County, and surrounding areas.  He is no stranger to most, and counted you as a friend on first meeting.  Generally, his first question when meeting you was "what church do you belong to"?  And he would end his conversation with "Come on down to Providence, I'll be there".  We are so thankful that Providence honored him as "Man of the Year".

Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said unto me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord"