Vera Tompkins Gray, 92, of Jacksonville went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 28, 2025. She was born July 24, 1932 (while dates indicate she was 92, mother always insisted she was 93 so we're going with it) in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Luther and Josephine (Donahue) Tompkins. Ms. Gray joined First United Methodist Church Jacksonville in 1950. She remained active for many years as a member of the Chancel Choir, the Upper Room Sunday school class, Young at Heart and the United Methodist Women's Wesleyan Circle. She was also a longtime member of the Eastern Star. In addition to her church, Vera enjoyed time at the Jacksonville Senior Center where she took part in a monthly Bridge group.

Family was everything to Vera. In addition to her own children, she became a mother to many children in her community. She was hard working, loving, kind, giving and honest. She had a great sense of humor and if it popped into her head, it would most likely come out of her mouth. She loved babies and never met a stranger. Although she was sweet, when her sassy side came out, you better hold on. She was always prepared to speak her mind, had a special place in her heart for Britney Spears and detested Donald Trump and Kanye West. There could never be another who could ever come close to filling her shoes or the absence her passing will leave in the hearts of all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, Ed Tompkins, L.C. Tompkins, James Tompkins and Margie Kelly. Survivors include her children, Richard Gray of Little Rock, Karen Simpson of Scott, Julia Watt of Little Rock, and foster son, George Belew (Jeannie) of North Little Rock. Other survivors include eleven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Betty Tompkins of Jacksonville along with a host of extended family and many lifelong friends.

Funeral services will be 1:00pm, Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at First United Methodist Church Jacksonville with Reverend Melanie Tubbs officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church, beginning at 12:00pm.

Christina Miller, Nicole Gray, Bryan Harbour, Candace Harbour, Brad Watt, Caitlin Watt, Jason Watt, Brandon Belew, Justin Belew, Whitney Bridges and Allie Goffe will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorials in Vera's memory may be made to First United Methodist Church Jacksonville, 308 W. Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076, online at First United Methodist Jacksonville or Hospice Home Care, Bowman Comfort Care Center, 2200 S. Bowman Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211.

Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, 1504 N. JP Wright Loop Road, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076, 501-982-2136. Sign Ms. Gray's online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com