[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 210 (Friday, December 12, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE SERVICE OF TOMMY TOMLINSON TO STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MICHAEL GUEST

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 12, 2025

  Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Tommy 
Tomlinson, a proud resident of Starkville, Mississippi. Tommy graduated 
from Starkville High School in 1971. In the fall of 1971, he began his 
freshman year at East Mississippi Community College, where he played 
for the Lions' Baseball team. After graduating with his associate's 
degree in 1973, he earned a Bachelor of Banking and Finance from 
Mississippi State University in 1975. Tommy would later complete 
programs of study at commercial lending schools at the University of 
Oklahoma and Vanderbilt University, as well as the Mississippi School 
of Banking at the University of Mississippi, and the Graduate School of 
Banking at Louisiana State University.
  Tommy began his banking career in Meridian, Mississippi, at the 
former Merchants and Farmers Bank. In 1983, he returned to the Golden 
Triangle area, where he began working at the National Bank of Commerce, 
now known as Cadence Bank. He worked there for 28 years, serving as 
regional president, before joining Renasant Bank. Tommy served in 
various roles at Renasant, most recently as Director of Strategic 
Partnerships and Executive Vice President.
  Tommy has also been deeply engaged in the Starkville community, where 
he and his family are members of First Baptist Church. His service 
record includes serving as Chairman of the Greater Starkville 
Development Partnership, Past President of the Starkville Rotary Club, 
Executive Board Member of the Mississippi State University Bulldog 
Club, and Board Member of the Create Foundation, as well as many other 
local service organizations.
  In 2014, Tommy was inducted into the Starkville High School Alumni 
Hall of Fame and recognized as the 2023 Alumnus of the Year by East 
Mississippi Community College. He and his wife, Melita, have three 
daughters. Their oldest daughter, Dr. Kristen Fyke, is married to Rob 
Fyke, and they have three children, Henry, Noelle, and Mack. Their 
middle daughter, Laura Armstrong, is married to Dr. Clay Armstrong, and 
they have two children, Luke and Caroline. Their youngest daughter, 
Heather Skaggs, is married to Rev. Trey Skaggs, and they have three 
children, Jones, Will, and Anna Joy. Tommy Tomlinson has been a trusted 
leader, mentor, and advisor to many generations throughout the 
Starkville and Golden Triangle community. I am honored to have the 
opportunity to recognize Tommy's service to Mississippi's 3rd 
Congressional District and the state of Mississippi as a whole, and I 
wish him the best in retirement.

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