Retha Ann (Milks) Tompkins, 74, of Greene, NY passed away peacefully Monday, September 26, 2022 after a long journey with dementia. She was born on October 15, 1947 in Johnson City, NY.
She is survived by her children, Katrina (and Michael) Farrell, Timothy (and Robin) Tompkins, Michelle (and Brett) Spencer, Crystal (and Andrew) Baxter, and her grandchildren, Jesse, Jennifer, Lauren, Derrick, Julia, Kendra, Lilionna, and Ethan. She is also survived by her sisters, Rose Ward, Joy Stalker, and Debra Dobish, her brothers, Everett Milks Jr., Howard Milks, Van Dobish, and David Jameison, her nephew Frank “Tony” Gates and several other nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Keith Tompkins, her mother, Avis (Runyon) Ward, her father, Everett Milks, her brother, Jonathan Milks, and her twin sister, Ruth Nowalk.
Retha and Keith lived on Tyner Road for most of their married life. She was a beloved member of the community, caring for everyone she knew by providing health care to her neighbors, Champion sweatshirts at a good price, produce from her garden and her delicious canned goods. She volunteered at the soup kitchen in Oxford and the Smithville Food Pantry.
She was a sewing machine operator at Champion in Norwich until it closed in 1994. She then worked at Preston Manor until her retirement where she was loved by patients and staff alike.
She enjoyed listening and dancing to county music, daily roadside walks, cheering on her children and grandchildren, and having a good time with friends and family. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Her funeral will be held at Bible Baptist Church, 23 Birdsall Street in Norwich, on November 5th at 1:00. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church - Taste N See Soup Kitchen, PO Box 72, Oxford, NY 13830.