Gayle Ann Kirkland Tompkins

Funeral services for Gayle Ann Kirkland Tompkins, 77, of Lufkin will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Cindy Doran and Reverend Martin Doran officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches.

Ms. Tompkins was born December 30, 1946 in Shreveport, Louisiana to the late Louise (Martin) and Robert Arnold Kirkland, and died Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in a local hospital.

She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler in 1966 as a Rebelette dancer for the school and attended Stephen F. Austin State University. She took pride in being a stay-at-home mom and homemaker but wanted to pursue a career after raising her children. She got her beautician’s license in 1987 and worked for Regis until moving to J.C. Penney where she became a cosmetology “All Star” until she went part-time in 2016. Ms. Tompkins was a loving mother and grandmother. In Nacogdoches she was in the Mother’s Club, serving as president for one year, Junior Forum, Tour of Homes, and did historical tours for the City. She was in Garden Club as well as the Historical Society and Steven’s Ministry. She was also a member of the Angelina County Genealogical Society and Keltys United Methodist Church. She liked people and was very outgoing. She loved to paint and loved animals, especially her dogs, Sassie and Clyde.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Tompkins of Lufkin; daughters and son-in-law, Melissa and Theodoric Powers of Rosenberg, and Christy Caudle of Lufkin; son, Clinton Caudle of Lufkin; grandchildren, Amaya Powers, Kaylan Powers, Jonathon Fletcher, Jordan Hearn, and Aaron Caudle and girlfriend Brittany Yates; great-granddaughter, Kennedy Caudle; sisters and brother-in-law, Amy and Mark Birkelbach, and Peggy Parker; brother, Martin Kirkland; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Caudle, Clinton Husband, Jordan Hearn, Robert Tompkins, JOnathan Fletcher, and Theodoric Powers.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jonathan Fletcher and Theodoric Powers.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon prior to the service.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.