Thelma Joyce Tompkins

A memorial Services will be held this Friday March 7, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches at 1:30 p.m. with Dr. Allen Reed officiating. Following the memorial service a reception will follow in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall for friends to visit with the family. A private graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park at a later time.

“Joyce” Tompkins was born on January 7, 1929, to Joel Otto and Leta Bowlin Hairgrove.

She is survived by her husband Homer; and daughters, Brenda Tompkins Fuller of Round Rock, Texas, and Patti Tompkins Goodrum and her husband Bill Goodrum of Nacogdoches, Texas. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Greg Fuller of Nacogdoches, Texas, Matthew Fuller and wife Cinnamon of Georgetown, Texas, Allison Fuller-Jones and husband Dan of Georgetown, Texas, Will Goodrum and wife Rosary of Kingwood, Texas, and Jason “JT” Goodrum of Galveston, Texas; and five great-grandchildren, Madalyn Fuller, Avery Fuller, Grayson Fuller, Jate Jones, and Savannah Fuller, all living in Texas. Also, a brother, Joe Hairgrove of Timpson, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents; a bother, Charles Hairgrove; and her granddaughter-in-law, Carrie Lancaster Fuller.

Joyce served the Lord all of her life. Raised in the Buna Vista Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas, as she played the piano and often sang with the Bowlin Singers and many other cousins and kinfolks. She graduated from Timpson High School in 1945 and attending Stephen F. Austin State University from 1945-1947. She enjoyed her time at SFA and studied music and was a member of the Amities Social Club at SFA. Amities became Sigma Kappa Sorority and she was initiated into the local chapter at SFA in 1977.

After SFA, she moved to Houston, Texas, and met and married the love of her life, Homer Tompkins, in 1950. They celebrated their love affair of 63 years September 16, 2013.

Homer and Joyce were members of First Baptist Church Richmond, Texas, where they raised their daughters. Joyce served on many committees and sang in the choir for many years.

Joyce worked in the Financial Management arena until 1972 when she was appointed Fort Bend County Auditor in Richmond and served in that position for 22 years until her retirement in 1989. During her tenure she also served as an officer for 6 years in the Texas Auditor Association and completed her service as President of the association in 1985. During her leadership she was noted for bringing Fort Bend County into the computer age.

Joyce and Homer retired in 1990 to Lake Nacogdoches. She enjoyed visiting her mother in Timpson for 10 years before her death in 1999. Homer and Joyce also enjoyed managing their family farm in Timpson. Homer still continues to manage the farm today.

They joined First Baptist Church Nacogdoches and were members of the Fireside Sunday School Class. Joyce again served her church and was an active Prayer Warrior of the FBC Intercessional Prayer Room. Again she was a member of the choir and served as Children’s Choir Coordinator for a few years. Joyce also was a member of the Nacogdoches Four Seasons Garden Club and was a certified Hospice Volunteer and was a ‘Kids Hope Mentor’ for TJR Elementary School.

Joyce, or ‘Nanie’ as her grandchildren referred to her, adored her family. She was a hands-on parent and grandparent and was involved with her children and grandchildren in all aspects of their lives. She rejoiced in attending all five of her grandchildren’s graduations from College.

She conveyed forth her loving “country girl” values and faith to her family as our matriarch. She lifted her family and friends up in prayer often and will be remembered for her strong heart, quick wit, and soft helping hand.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Greg Fuller, Matthew Fuller, Allison Fuller-Jones, Will Goodrum, and JT Goodrum, and her son-in-law, Bill Goodrum.

Honorary pallbearers are: The Members of the First Baptist Church Nacogdoches Fire Side Sunday School Class, Jerry and Mary Hancock, Cecil and Mary Cuttingham, Carolyn Driver, Carolyn Sivess, David and Suzanne Graupman, John and Sally Ann Swearengen, Stephanie Driver, and Laura Williford and the staff and Volunteers of Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC).

God sends angels on earth to care for His children when in need. Our family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mark Cline and his office, for the love, support and compassion to our family through out Mom’s illness. And to Rock Haven Nursing Home and Sally Jones from Angel Care Hospice who joined us to care for Mom in her last days. Heartfelt thanks to our church family and so many friends who have walked this journey with us. To God be the glory for your talents.

Family request Memorial donations to be offered to The Nacogdoches Treatment Center, 119 Hughes Street, Nacogdoches Texas 75961; or the Parkinson Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.

Arrangements under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas. Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.