"When Christ shall come with a shout of acclamation and take me home- what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God how great Thou Art!"

Travis was born the oldest son of William B. Tinsley (Claiborne Parish), Louisiana, and Esther Fields.   He passed away Monday, June 19, 2023, at the Claiborne Rehabilitation nursing home.  Mr. Tinsley graduated from the University of Texas in Austin. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he married Louise Wallace Tinsley in 1955. The couple both taught there until moving to Houston and later California, Iowa, and Arkansas to raise their five children. Travis and Louise moved to Homer, Louisiana where Travis was restored the Tinsley Family Farmhouse (circa 1860), served as an active member of the community, and operated the Tinsley, Inc. and Horsetail Cable Flag Company businesses until his admission of the Claiborne Rehabilitation nursing home five years ago. 

Travis is preceded in death by his parents, and two of his siblings, sister Betty McDavid and brother Richard Dick E. Tinsley, and survived by his sister, Joyce (Joy) M. Tinsley.  Travis is preceded in death by his wife of Louise Tinsley fifty-six years (d. 2011) and survived by his second wife Peggy (Kendrick Calvit) Tinsley (married July 2012).

He is also survived by his five children, Karen Linn Tinsley Emerson and husband, Wesley, of Homer, Louisiana; son Douglas Monroe Tinsley and his wife, Amy, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; son William Edgar Tinsley and his wife, Paula, of Little Rock, Arkansas; Dr. John Travis Tinsley and his wife, Tonya, of Homer, Louisiana; and Susan Tinsley Bennett and her husband, Richard, of Spring, Texas.

Travis is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  His grandchildren are:  Catherine, Rhianna (m. Jonathan Bolen), Bryan and Kelsey (m. Adam  McElderry) Emerson;  Douglas M. Tinsley Jr., Courtney (m. Philip Stevenson), and Tyler Lewis (m. Amy); Justin (m. Blair Graves), Jordan (m. Coleen Youngdahl-Tinsley), and Julie (m. Aaron Schaefer); Jessica (m. Rob Reep) and Jacob Tinsley; and Jonah and Rex Bennett.  His great grandchildren are:  Asa and Nash Bolen; Murphy and Miles McElderry; Ellis and Ramsey Reep; Sophie Schaefer; Penny Stevenson; Jack Tinsley; William Arnold Tinsley; and Carina, Sloan, and Dean Tinsley.

Travis is also survived by Peggy Calvit’s children, Kathi Poole, Cindy (m. Jerry) Hatchett, Larry (m. Debbie) Calivit and grand and great-grand childen Shelle Horton, Madlyn Stevens and Tristan Horton.

Predeceased by numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends and survived by much loved nieces and nephews Carol Ann McDavid and Martha Gene (m. Kevin) Newman; Tommye (m. David) Powell and Linda (m. Jon) Preston; Tod Thorpe (m. Mary Dunbar); Linda Hampsch (m. Steve) and Charles (m. Linda) Wallace; Katherine Morrow, Deborah (m. Eddie) Brown, Linda Childs, Brenda Wallace, and Mary (m. Bobby) Warmington.  Survived by many cousins.

Travis was preceded in death by Robert L. Martin (“Woody”), a beloved friend and cousin and survived by his beloved friend of over sixty years, John Green.

Mrs. Tinsley was a dedicated father, Christian, and businessman. Not only did he work tirelessly to provide for his family, but he was also dedicated to his country and community. He spearheaded the restoration of Red Oak Iowa Chautauqua Park, was a founding member of the Carbon Black Association, served as an active member of Rotary, was a Mason, helped establish the Homer Economic Development fund, and raised funds for the Boys and Girls Club. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served as the Republican party chair in Grant County, Arkansas for many years.  Travis was dedicated to lifelong learning. He was a voracious reader, part time farmer, self-published author, and a patent holder. He loved puzzles and games, and always had time for a game of checkers and backgammon with friends and family. He never met a stranger, was known for his brilliant smile, and loved intellectual conversations on almost any topic. Travis was an active and dedicated church member over the years – most recently at Homer Church of Christ.  His faith, daily dedication to prayer, and helping others was evidenced in his faith in God through the journey of his life.  

The family would especially like to thank his caregivers Dr. Samuel Abshire, Claiborne Rehabilitation’s staff members Anna Green, Crystal Manuel, Kalissa Gage, Samantha Bennett, Sammy Sanford, and the staff of Bristol Hospice including nursing staff Mary Nell Furguson, Bonita Zinson  and Chaplan  Jefferey Smart.  

Services will be held at Kilpatrick's Rose-Neath Funeral Home chapel in Homer, Louisiana (405 E 5th St, Homer, LA 71040) on July 8th. Visitation is at 4 pm and the service will be at 5 pm.

A graveside service will be Sunday, July 9^th, at 9 am at the Old Town Cemetery between Homer and Haynesville. (Intersection of LA-534 &, Triplet Rd, Haynesville, LA 71038). There will be a short Masonic ceremony.

We are asking that donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to the Homer Masonic Roof Fund c/o Homer Masonic Lodge, P. O. Box 675 Homer, LA. Please address check to Homer Masonic Lodge and designate the roof fund on the check. 

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel  (318) 927-6110