Elnora F Tompkins

Mrs. Elnora F. Tompkins was born to the late William and Rosa Streets Fortune on July 14, 1926, in Oak Grove, Virginia.  She entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at her home in Oak Grove.

Elnora accepted Christ at an early age and joined Little Zion Baptist Church in Oak Grove, where she was in regular attendance.  After establishing her home in Montross, she transferred her membership to Siloam Baptist Church, where she served as Sunday School teacher, organized Vacation Bible School and was active in other church programs.  In the early 2000s Elnora became affiliated with a local congregation of Jehovah’s Witness.

On November 23, 1949, she was united in holy matrimony to Joseph A.  Tompkins, Jr.  To this happy union, a beautiful daughter was born.  They celebrated fifty-two wonderful years together.  

Elnora attended segregated public schools in Westmoreland County and graduated from A. T. Johnson High School in 1944. She then attended Virginia State College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and later a Master’s Degree in English and Counseling.                                                                  

Elnora was employed by  the Westmoreland County School Board in 1947.  Her first two teaching assignments were in one and two room schools in Colonial Beach and Zacata.  She was later transferred as an English teacher to  A. T. Johnson High School, soon sharing the role of teacher with the newly created position of guidance counselor.  In 1970 she continued as the guidance counselor at A. T. Johnson after it was declared the County’s junior high school. She retired in 1988.  

Elnora was affiliated with the following organizations:  the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Board of Directors for 32 years, with 26 years as secretary and treasurer; Rappahannock Community College Board of Directors (vice chair); the NAACP and the American Cancer Society.  On Law Day, May 2, 1994, the Northern Neck Bar Association accorded formal recognition of the Tompkins’ civic contributions by presenting the “Liberty Bell Award” to Elnora and her husband.  They were the first couple to receive this honor.  Elnora received the 2019 Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives; received commendations from the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate in 2020; and was named “Unsung Hero” by the Black Business and Professional Coalition.  

Elnora worked and served diligently and with excellence, until her health began to fail in 2021. She was thankful and blessed to have had three compassionate caregivers; Debora Brooks, Mary Byrd and Barbara Johnson, who attended to her needs with great skill.  

Elnora was preceded in death by her husband Joseph A. Tompkins, Jr. who departed this life on April 10, 2002.  

Elnora was also predeceased by six of seven siblings: Willard Fortune, Bessie F. Savage, Corrine F. Smith, Etta F. Self, Byrd Fortune, and Vernell F. Baylor.

She leaves to cherish her memory,  a loving and devoted daughter Beryl W. Smith (Joseph), Colonial Beach; also grandsons, Jason B. Willoughby, Hyattsville, Maryland; Bryce J. Willoughby, Westmoreland, and his daughter, Isla; Joseph Smith, (Kelli), White Plains, Maryland; Turrae Jones, (Anna), Westmoreland; Jaleesa Hickman, (Rashad) Westmoreland; a brother, Oliver Fortune, District Heights, Maryland; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  

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