Pastor Tom Buchanan was born on May 22, 1940 to Bill and Beatrice (Laney) Buchanan in Parkin, AR. Being the seventh of eleven children, Tom learned from an early age the importance of family and the value of hard work. As a child, he helped with various farm jobs and as a teen, he and his dad worked at a boat building company in Memphis, TN. In 1958, he moved to Vermilion, OH to take a job at the Ford Motor Company.

Although he did not attend church regularly, he went forward during a service and was welcomed into the church at the age of 12. As an adult, he became an active member of the First Baptist Church in Vermilion, OH but he felt there was still something missing in his life. While attending a revival meeting, Tom realized he had not given his life to the Lordship of Christ. When sharing his testimony, he would say, "I went forward during the invitation and asked Jesus to forgive and save me. I will always remember the transformation that took place. My life has not been the same since."

Tom met the love of his life, Rebecca Jo Farris, at a church function and they married on September 3 ^rd , 1960. Their union was blessed with 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

After struggling for several years with the decision, he surrendered his life into full-time ministry in 1974. However, he faced the obstacle of having only completed a fifth grade education. He knew that he needed more knowledge before he would be able do God's work. In his own words, "If you decide to do something, do it 100%."  So with a wife, four children and a newly acquired GED, he resigned from a great job of 16 years at the Ford Motor Company in Lorain OH, to further his education.

He and the family moved to Bolivar, MO to attend Southwest Baptist College. During this time, he pastored Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Charity, MO.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, he went on to attend Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN where he received a Master of Divinity. While in seminary, he served on staff at First Baptist Church of Horn Lake, MS.

In 1981, he was called to full time ministry at Barnett Road Baptist Church in Columbus, OH, where he pastored for almost 20 years until he had to retire early for health reasons.

However, his pastoring days were not quite over. In 2010, God called Pastor Tom into service once again at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Senatobia, MS for 2 years. Overall, Pastor Tom served in pastoral ministry for almost 30 years. He was a member of Carriage Hills Baptist Church, where he faithfully attended services and taught a Sunday school class. Even after he retired from the Pastorate, he never left the ministry. He was always look for opportunities to share the gospel with those around him and was praying for others just hours before his passing.

Tom had three passions throughout his life. His first passion was serving the Lord, studying His word and winning souls for heaven. Secondly, he was faithfully committed to Becky, his beautiful bride of 57 years and their family. Lastly, he had a true passion for gardening. Tom was saddened when his health would not allow him to put as much time and energy as he once could into watching things grow.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Rebecca Jo (Farris) Buchanan; his 4 children, daughter Tonia (Don) Rochelle; son Tim (Sandy) Buchanan; daughter Tammy (Drew) Preston; son Troy Buchanan.

Seven grandchildren: Daniel (Corie) Buchanan; Kalyn (Chris) Sanzi; Adam (Mindy) Preston; Zach Preston; Luke Preston; Noah Preston; and Ryan Buchanan.

Seven great-grandchildren: James Preston, Lita Buchanan, True Preston, Lee Buchanan, Liam Preston, Salem Sanzi, and Emma Preston.

Three brothers: Bobby (Evelyn) Buchanan; Tolbert Buchanan; Larry Buchanan; and a sister, Cynthia Buchanan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Beatrice (Laney) Buchanan. Brothers: Joel (Lola) Buchanan; Billy (Martha) Buchanan; Ronnie Buchanan. Sisters: Sylvia (Steve) Stephens; Geneva Faye (Arie) Wiley; and Patricia Ann Buchanan.

William Thomas Buchanan, 77, followed God's plan and was called to his heavenly home, on April 12th, 2018. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God brought him joy and peace throughout his entire life.

Services and Visitation will be on Tuesday April 17, 2018 at Carriage Hills Baptist Church in Southaven, Mississippi.  Visitation will be 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  Funeral Services will be at 1:00 PM Pastor Matt Brady (Carriage Hills Baptist) and Pastor James Lewis (Desoto Hills Baptist) will be officiating.

Bro. Tom's greatest passion was the mission to spread God's word.

Matthew 28:19 & 20

Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world. Amen.

In lieu of flowers please donate to

NAMB (North American Mission Board) https://www.namb.net/donations

IMB (International Mission Board) https://www.imb.org/give/

Gideons International (Bibles) https://www2.gideons.org/donate#