The Canton Hearld Friday, Aug 11, 1933 - Rev. Tom Ruben Shinn was born in Washington County, Ala., June 11, 1851 and died August 3rd., 1933. Early in life he was converted and united with the Baptist church. Feeling the call to preach the Word, he was ordained to the ministry and spent his entire life in service of his Lord and humanity. Coming to Van Zandt county in the winter of 1886 or 1887 he immediately identified himself with every good work, serving churches as pastor and doing real pioneer mission work. Most every section of the county has felt the impress of his life for almost half a century. He has held some wonderful revivals during this time, and in many ways promoted the cause of righteousness. Most of his time has been spent in the Cream Level community, where this preaaching, wise cousel and tender ministeries caused both old and young to look to him as a father.
He was the father of fourteen children, eleven of whom, with his wife, survive him. He is also survived by fifty-five grandchildren and forty-seven great-grandchildren.
People gathered by hundreds at him home church, Little Hope, on the 5th of August to pay loving tribute to the one so dear to them. Service were held on the lawn to accommodate the throng, and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. L.E. Barrett, assisted by Revs. Kimberly, Townsend, Sparkman and others. Several of the seeet hymns he loved were sung by a sweet choir after which his body was laid to rest in the Carter graveyard, the following grandsons acting as pall bearers: Coleman Bass, Preston Bass, Devard Kearby, Train Shinn, Truitt Shinn and Aubry Daavis.
The following children survive: Mrs. Willie Norrell, Mrs. Ray Kearby, Mrs. John Parks, Lester Shinn, H.B. Shinn and W.P.T. Shinn of Van Zandt county, J.N. Shinn, Sweetwater; R.N. Shinn Missouri; Mrs. W.J. Mitchell, Lamesa; and Mrs. W.A. Bass of Ben Wheeler; also the following step-children: Mrs. W.W. Rollins, San Antonio: B. Stron, Henderson; and Edgar Strong, Jacksonville.