KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –
Verna A. Bird, 83, died Sunday, April 15, 2012, at her daughter and son-in-law’s, Diane and Robert Johns residence in Knoxville, Tenn. Bertie lived with the crippling decease of rheumatoid arthritis for more than four decades, but that never changed who she was as a person. She was born Dec. 18, 1928, in Easton, daughter of Samuel and Beatrice (Condon) Good. Verna "Bertie" was a former resident of Easton for nearly 80 years before going to her daughter’s place in Knoxville, Tenn., to live in 2009. Verna was a hard worker all through her life, but always faced life with a smile. She was very well liked by all. She was a caring and loving daughter, sister, mother and grandmother. She also helped to raise some of her grandchildren; she raised her granddaughter, Europa Doughty, as her own. Her heart and door was always open.
She was predeceased by her father and mother, Samuel W. Good, in 1985 and Beatrice Good, in 1995; two sisters, Della Good, in 1931, and Nora Curtis, in 1984; one daughter, Dorene L. Tompkins, in 1955; three sons, Troy L. Tompkins, in 1965, Fred R. Tompkins, in 1983, and Richard L. Tompkins, in 2009.
Verna has three surviving sisters, five daughters and three sons: sisters, Leah L. Vaughn of Caribou, Glenna P. Lawslo, of Palmdale, Calif., and Beatrice Helene Pelletier of Fort Fairfield, daughters, Diane M. Tompkins Johns and husband, Robert Johns, of Knoxville, Tenn., Delores M. Tompkins Lloyd and husband, Brent Lloyd, of New Brunswick, Marie J. Tompkins of Presque Isle, Glenna P. Tompkins of Easton, and Kimberly P. Tompkins of Youngtown, Ariz., and sons, Samuel L. Tompkins and wife, Darlene Workmen, of Tazewell, Tenn., Anthony P. Tompkins and wife, Tammy Peters, of Ticonderoga, N.Y., and Joseph J. Tompkins and wife, Tammy Cody, of Easton; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A graveside service at Bertie’s request will be held in the middle to late June at Pine Tree Cemetery, Easton. When the family has the exact date and time of service, it will be announced in the Bangor Daily News. If you would like to honor Bertie, the family is asking that you make donations in her name to www.arthritis.org
Published in BDN Maine on April 18, 2012
1928 - 2012 (83 years)
d. Sep 2013, Easton, Aroostook, Maine