Jeanette M. Bell Tompkins entered eternal rest Thursday, November 6, 2025. She was born on July 9, 1936, in Middleburg, Florida. Her parents James David Bell and Annie Mildred Stringer Bell were delighted to have a daughter, as she was the first girl in a family of four boys. She grew up in the Baptist Church under the guardianship of her father, who was a devoted Deacon. Her family later moved to Jacksonville, Florida where she graduated from Matthew W. Gilbert High School. Her ambition was to become a teacher, but she, encouraged by her mother, went into the medical field.

While attending Nursing School in Petersburg, Virginia, she met and married her husband, Langston Maceo Tompkins. They were married for 63 years, upon his death. After their only child was born, Langston Maceo Tompkins, Jr., she continued her education, becoming a Registered Nurse. She later earned a B.S. Degree from Virginia State University.

Jeanette loved her flowers, plants, and elephant statues. She had a large collection of elephants that she purchased during her travels. Her home and garden were full of beautiful plants. She was a member of the Azalea Garden Club, and the Federation of Virginia Garden Club. She was also a member of Chi Eta Phi Professional Nursing Sorority, Inc. Eta Eta Chapter, and The Red Hat Society.

Jeanette and Langston's only child Langston Jr., preceded them in death, along with her six brothers, J.P., Willie, Joseph, Frank, Albert, and George.

She leaves to mourn three sisters, Hazel Arline (Charles) and Cynthia Ivory (Leo) both of Jacksonville, Florida, and Carletha McEnnis (Ronald) of Philadelphia, PA; and one uncle, Johnny Stringer (Guilla) of Orlando, FL. She also leaves to mourn a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, among them a very close cousin–in-law, Shirley Powell of Washington, DC; and a very close friend, Jeanette Pouncey of Petersburg, VA.

Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Gillfield Baptist Church, 209 Perry Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. George W.C. Lyons, Jr., Pastor/eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.