Dr. Tommie Broach Darm

Dr. Tommie Broach Darm, 73, of Middleburg, Fla., peacefully entered through the gates of Heaven, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, at home, surrounded by her family and dear friends.

A private family service will be held at HighPoint Community Church in Orange Park, FL with Pastor Mike Hailey and Pastor Jerry Nordsiek of Advent Lutheran Church officiating.  The service will be available for viewing on the HighPoint Community Church YouTube channel Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. A private burial will take place in December 2020 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home have been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Tommie was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Bill and Peggy Broach Sept. 22, 1946. She went to Landon High School in Jacksonville, Fla., and graduated in 1964. Between 1968 and 2008, Tommie earned five postsecondary degrees: bachelor’s degrees in math and Latin education from Abilene Christian University (1968), a Master of Education from Columbia University Teacher’s College (1973), a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary (2008) and a Doctor of Education from the University of Florida (1984).

After beginning her career as a teacher in Long Island, N.Y., Tommie returned home to Jacksonville and founded the New School in 1973, a one-to-one school program for students falling behind to get back on track. Eventually, the school model migrated to a traditional classroom environment and the name was changed to The Broach School of Jacksonville. As the founder and CEO of The Broach School of Jacksonville Inc., Tommie oversaw the operation of their five private schools for special needs children in North Florida. In 1999, Dr. Broach was named Distinguished Educator of the Year for her work with Florida’s children.

Upon receiving her MACM from Asbury Theological Seminary, Tommie served as an associate pastor at Orange Park United Methodist Church, Pastor Emeritus at HighPoint Community Church, and most recently as a part-time pastor at Advent Lutheran Church before retiring in 2019. She was an active member in the Cursillo and Via de Cristo communities, serving as spiritual director for many years.

Tommie will be lovingly remembered by her children: Bill Darm, son; David Darm, son; Lauren Furey, daughter; Richard Schoenbeck, adopted son; Brittany Schoenbeck, adopted daughter-in-law; Diane Varner, adopted daughter; Sabrina Harding, adopted daughter; her granddaughters: Stephanie Darm, Quinn Furey, Seara Schoenbeck, Heaven Schoenbeck and Alexa Schoenbeck; her mother, Peggy Broach; her sister, Deborah Ferro; her brothers, Larry Broach and Martin Broach; as well as multiple nieces, nephews and friends.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Adam Darm; her father, Bill Broach; fraternal grandparents, Byron and Hadie Broach; and maternal grandparents, Bob and Dot Million.

Tommie was always a champion for the disadvantaged and students who fell through the cracks, managing to instill courage in them to succeed. The profound impact she had on the communities she served, both ministerial and educational, will be carried on in her legacy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Broach School of Jacksonville, Inc., 41 Knight Boxx Road, Orange Park, FL  32065. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Besse Smith, By Your Side Senior Care and Community Hospice for their care and compassion.

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