Mr. Thomas Artesta Hutchines, 71 of Charlotte, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at Atrium Health-Pineville.  He was born in Newark, New Jersey on April 26, 1948 to hardworking parents.  He lived in Savannah, Georgia and was raised by his beloved grandmother.

He attended school in the segregated South where he excelled as a musician and was given a strong Christian foundation.  He attended Savannah State University before enlisting in the United States Air Force at the height of the Vietnam War.  Tom served as a Military Policeman.  He also served in the United States Air Force Reserve Medical Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, NJ for four years.

Tom had a divine connection which led him to a church in Irvington, New Jersey, The Sword of the Spirit which changed his life.  Tom was mentored and experienced the "Word of God" in truth during this period.

In 1985 he began his 25+ year journey as a church (percussionist) musician.  One of his many accomplishments was establishing a dynamic drum corp in N.J.  The group comprised of at-risk youth in the community.  This achievement was highly recognized by local leaders.

By 1997, Tom was called to the pulpit.  He humbly served on the ministerial staff at New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange, N.J., where he also attended and graduated from the Lay Pastors Institute.  He also served as Associate Pastor at Clinton Memorial AME Zion Church in Newark, N.J.  Tom used to say " I take dictation from the The Holy Ghost."

Tom retired from Montclair State University, New Jersey in 2006, as Supervisor of the Housing and Maintenance Department.  Afterwards Tom and his wife relocated to Pineville, NC.

Tom loved to serve children and youth.  He volunteered at Elon Home and Schools in Charlotte where he mentored young men who aged out of the foster care system by teaching life-skills courses.  He also encouraged boys at Faith, Hope and Love, teaching, coaching and offering the joy of music.  He loved teaching Sunday school at Church in the City with his wife, and he ministered to inmates at the Mecklenburg County Jail in Charlotte.

At a local venue, Tom and Velma heard Pastor Gool and immediately visited Victory Christian Center.  They joined and have served together in this ministry over the years.

Tom worked for Allied Universal and most recently became a proud member of the CMS Security team in Charlotte.  Tom recently began a blog to express his deepest thoughts.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Velma Hutchines and his sister Barbara Hutchines.  He is the proud father of three children: Martha Moinque Hutchines, Thomas Richard Hutchines, and Kenza Ashely Hutchines; five grandchildren: Kori Anthony Simpson, Todd Allyn Hutchines, Hope Madelyn Meronnee, Aaron Thomas Hutchines and Jacob Austin Hutchines; mother-in-law, Mrs. Jane Cepero, sister-in-law, Saundra Dolores Wallace, niece, Adara Cepero Wallace, great nephews, Christopher Anthony Vereen and Damien Aaron Davis and a host of cousins and friends.