Reverend Dr. Tony Gonzalez

On January 22, 2019, Reverend Dr. Tony Gonzalez, son, loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather went home to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 89.  Preacher Tony, or Pastor Tony, as he was lovingly known, was born on January 4, 1930 in Tampa, Florida to Albert and Lina (Gill) Gonzalez.  He married Mae Elizabeth Johnson on December 27, 1948.  They just celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary last month. After marrying, they lived in Stark, Florida and he worked for DuPont. They later moved to Tennessee to attend Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, TN and would drive back and forth to Kingsport on the weekends to be Associate Pastor at Temple Baptist Church.

After graduation he was called to pastor State Line Baptist Church where he pastored for 42 years. They raised two daughters, Twana McCreery and husband John and Tondria Horne and husband Samuel, and have  5 grandchildren: Tiffany Sells, Chad Morelock, Cole Robinette, Mandie Willhoite, and Dustin McCreery and 5 great-grandchildren: Blakely Sells, Makenzie Seay, Tyler Wilhoitt, Aaralyn Morelock and Raelynn Morelock;  sister, Norma Jamison, Brandon, FL; and nephew, Derek Roberts and niece, Delinda Roberts Faudel. Preacher Tony devoted his life to the Lord and his wife, family, and church family. He was Chaplain for Holston Valley Hospital for many years and ministered to anyone that ever needed him. In the early 1970’s he started a radio broadcast on WGOC where he would sing and preach. He and Sis, Mae lead tour groups to the Holy Land seven times and he also held revivals all over the United States. He taught himself to play piano by ear and the accordion. In the 1980’s he received his Doctorate Degree in Theology from Carson Newman College.  He retired from State Line Baptist in 2002 but still kept preaching and teaching his faithful friends at various churches.

Pastor Tony loved working in his yard and always kept it immaculate. He also had a real love of Purple Martins and looked forward to the large colony that came to his gourds every year. He was always a call away for anyone that needed him to have prayer or come visit them . His words of encouragement and compassion will be remembered by many. He had a tender heart of love and never let a day go by without praising the Lord and praying for his family and friends. He’s with his Savior now and singing his favorite song “Beulah Land”!

The family will receive friends from 4-7:00 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at State Line Baptist Church.  The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm with Pastor Wayne Morelock,  Rev. Cecil Sturgill, Rev. David Newland , Bro. Joe Robinette, and Rev. Roman Alverez officiating.

The graveside service will be held on Sunday at 3:00 pm at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Bryan Henderson, John McCreery, Samuel Horne Jr., Chad Morelock, Cole Robinette and Jeremy Sells.