Gail Whitsitt Tompkins

Gail Whitsitt Tompkins, 83, of Blytheville, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis.

Gail was born in Blytheville to Hugh F. and Martha Robinson Whitsitt. She was a graduate of the University of Arkansas where she was Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. Gail loved the Blytheville and Heber Springs communities and served in many organizations. She was a member of the Blytheville Junior Auxiliary, she was a former Woman of the Year, and was a member of the Lady Bugs Garden Club. She was the first director of Big Brothers Program in Blytheville and was involved in the Red Cross swimming program. Gail was also actively involved with the Girl Scouts. She loved to travel, especially with her husband Jim. After the death of her husband, Gail moved to Heber Springs for a few years before moving back to Blytheville. During her time in Heber Springs she also volunteered in the community. She was a member of the Heber Springs Hospital Auxiliary, Breaking Bread Food Pantry, and was also active in many bridge clubs. Gail never met a stranger, and she had a passion for helping others and always strived to make a difference in everyone’s lives.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Feagin Tompkins III.

Gail leaves two children, Mary Lee Tompkins Johnson and her husband Lee of Burdette and James Feagin “Bo” Tompkins IV of Des Moines, Iowa; six grandchildren, Linsey Tompkins, Megan Tompkins, Caroline Cardwell, James Flanigan, Martha Caldwell, and Ron (Sara) Cardwell; and eight great-grandchildren, Luna Lewis, Frances Lewis, Margot Lewis, Elijah Danner, Ronnie Cardwell III, Nicholas Cardwell, Dayton Porter and Waylon Porter.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a private family service. The family requests memorials be made to Mended Paws Sanctuary, 137 Randall Road, Blytheville, Arkansas 72315, or the Blytheville Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.