Lois Clydeen Knox Tompkins

Lois Clydeen Knox Tompkins, 74, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, died quietly at home December 15, 2024. Her husband, David, and son, Andrew, by her bedside. A memorial service will be held Friday January 24, 2025, 1:00pm at Christ Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa. Norwood-Wyatt Chapel will be directing the service.

Clydeen was born December 25, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, the daughter of Richard L. “Les” and Wilma “Corky” Knox. As a child she lived in several western states, as the family followed her father’s career in the aerospace industry. A career that would lead to Huntsville, Alabama where she would meet David, her loving husband of fifty five years. Together they raised two outstanding sons.

Clydeen was a remarkable wife and mother, loving daughter, a caring sister, and outstanding teacher, liked and respected by her teaching colleagues. She was an exceptional student and loved learning. In her first year of college, in addition to her academic studies, Clydeen’s love of music led her to sing in the school’s performing choral group; and she was selected for the premier madrigal ensemble. Her instructors in college recognized her skill for teaching and set Clydeen on her career path as a teacher. She shared her enthusiasm for learning as a classroom teacher for thirty years, teaching advanced placement American History and Government; and as head of the history department, helping beginning teachers develop their classroom skills. A lifelong teacher, Clydeen regularly taught Sunday School, providing historical context to the theology of her faith. She had a soft loving spirit and an abiding Christian faith, that always saw the best in everyone.

Outside the classroom, Clydeen spent time in her flower garden. She kept color blooming almost continuously throughout the year. Daffodils in the early Spring, zinnias, cosmos, and other colorful blossoms Summer into Autumn, and pansies Winter into Spring.

Clydeen is survived by her husband David A. Tompkins, two sons Matthew Q. Tompkins (Terri), and Andrew K. Tompkins (Ericka), one granddaughter, Sara Quinn Tompkins, her mother Wilma Knox, three sisters Leslie Cook, Kimberly Fletcher (Stuart), Tammy Knox, and brother Philip Knox (Suzanne), 5 nieces and nephews, and 7 great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Richard Leslie Knox; her father-in-law and mother-in-law Julian L. and Charline LeRoy Tompkins; and beloved grandmothers Alice Matilda Phillips, and Mary Lois Knox.

The family expresses their deep gratitude to the administrators, nurses, and care givers of Hospice of West Alabama for their attention and loving care for Clydeen in the last days of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of West Alabama, Christ Episcopal Church of Tuscaloosa, or the charity of your choice.