Helen 'Penny' Tompkins

Helen Penny Marion Tompkins, the daughter of the late Cedrick R. and Helen (Rule) Nichols, was born on November 27, 1929, in Manchester, New Hampshire. Her daddy quickly nicknamed her Penny because she was too little to be a nickel! Penny departed this life on February 21, 2016, in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She was 86 years, 3 months, and 10 days of age.

Penny grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire. She married Lester C. Earls on January 7, 1950. This union was blessed with four children: Ray, Marion, Matthew, and Noel. During their twenty-five years of marriage, the family moved many times which finally led them to West Plains, Missouri.

Penny loved to cook for her family. Her favorite dish was homemade navy beans and ham. Penny continued to stay a devoted and loving mother, choosing only to attend college for two years to become a certified nurse assistant which she enjoyed doing for five years.

Penny had a very difficult time accepting the death of her son, Noel, at a young age of only twenty-four years old, but she continued loving her three other children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that followed.

Penny later divorced and married Tom Tompkins of Mountain Grove, Missouri, on November 28, 1988. They enjoyed 21 years together until the passing of Tom in 2009. They enjoyed attending church at the Light House Chapel and watching Toms drum performances. They both moved into Autumn Oaks Caring Center where they were loved by everyone.

Penny enjoyed visiting with the other residents, doing crafts, playing bingo, and participating in the senior Olympics. All the caretakers loved her sweet, caring spirit, and positive happy nature. Penny never spoke negatively about anyone. She had a heart for the Lord that was demonstrated by the way she treated others.

Besides her parents, Penny was preceded in death by her son: Noel Duane Earls; her husbands: Lester C. Earls and Tom Tompkins; and her brother: Everett Nichols.

She is survived by her children: F. Ray Earls of Atlanta, Georgia, Marion M. Jones and husband, Troy, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Matthew A. Earls and wife, Tiffany, of Amarillo, Texas; step-sons: Scott Tompkins and his wife, Sandi, of Hideaway, Texas, and Bernie Tompkins of Arlington, Texas; step-daughter: Lily Gaston and husband, Paul, of Mountain Grove, Missouri; one sister: Verna Haggett of Plaistow, New Hampshire; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.


Visitation: Wednesday, February 24, 2016 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.

Burial: Lone Star Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions: Lone Star Cemetery or Hospice Compassus in c/o the funeral home.