Edwina Tompkins Bell

Edwina Tompkins Bell of Stone Mountain, GA, died December 18, 2008. The eldest child of Edward Leroy Tompkins and Thelma Martin Walk, she was born May 6, 1926 in Bloomington, IL. She graduated salutatorian from Milton High School in Milton, IL in 1943. From 1944 until 1946, she taught at Clover School near Time, Pike County, IL. She moved to Springfield, IL in 1946 where she worked for the Franklin Life Insurance Company until 1953. She was a charter student of Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois, Springfield), completing a BA in Communications in 1972 and a MA in Communications in 1974. She worked for Southern Illinois University Medical School in Springfield until she moved to Atlanta, GA in 1978. She was a member of the Atlanta Chapter, National League of American Pen Women from 1986, for whom she edited the chapter newsletter.  She was a published author of numerous pieces of short fiction.

She is survived by three children, Melinda Bell Jones, Upland, CA; J Edward Bell, Cincinnati, OH and Melissa Bell Brennaman, Tucker, GA; two grandchildren, Jennifer H. Jones, Upland, CA; K. Geoffery Jones, Upland, CA; a brother Gerald Tompkins, Jefferson, OR; three sisters, Melba Lash, Stewartville, MN; Phyllis Broch, Gilbert, AZ and Zona Casteel, Pittsfield, IL. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, James Edward.

Memorials to Decatur First United Methodist Church, 300 East Ponce de Leon Av, Decatur, GA, 30030 or The National League of American Pen Women, NLAPW at 1300 17th Street. Washington DC. 20036.