By Staff
Mr. Tommy Douglas America Sr., 49, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at his home after an extended illness. He was educated in the Escambia County school system and worked in the Atmore Police Department after graduation. He joined the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department in 1983 and worked his way up to be a sergeant and was a supervisor in the western part of the county. From 1994 until 1997, he was an environmental officer for the county and in 1997 returned to the Sheriff’s Department and remained until 2007 rising to the rank of major. He was also very active in his church and founded the Saints with a Vision AFM Church of God. He served as pastor for St. Paul AFM Church, and later joined the two churches to become known at SWV.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Audrey L. America of Atmore; four children, Martesha (Rafeal) Lee, Shatoyeria America, Talia (Levon)  Wright III, and Tommy D. America Jr.; three grandchildren, Sierra, Olivia and Christian; his parents, William and Pauline America; two brothers, William C. America Jr. and James (Lesa) America; three sisters, Shirley Williams, Cynthia (Alton) Williams and Ellen Valenzuela; his adopted sisters, Cheryl (Charles) Mason, Vanessa Finley, Gwendolyn Finley, Brigitte Taylor, Delaine Finley and brother, Gavin Finley; his mother-in-law, Pastor Hattie Bishop; aunts, Mother Amelia Brooks and Mother Sarah Watson; and many other friends and family members.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 27, at 1 p.m. at Greater Mt. Triumph Missionary Baptist Church with Bishop Donice Brown Sr. officiating. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery with Christian Memorial Funeral Home directing. Active pallbearers were members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and Atmore Police Department.