Helen M. Tompkins, 86, of Madisonville, Ky. passed away at 2:40 a.m. on Wednesday December 29, 2010 at NHC Healthcare of Madisonville.

She was born on December 6, 1924 in Webster County, Ky. to the late Thomas Forker and Mabel Scott Forker. She was a housewife and was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Rufus Tompkins; a son, Donald Tompkins and a daughter, Lisa Scott.

She is survived by eight daughters, Betty Shaw, Dora Johnston, Martha Holmes, Janada Thomas, Glenda Holmes, Carol Peavler and Melissa Schwartzlose all of Madisonville and Mary Harris of Hanson; one son, James Tompkins of Hanson; seven sisters; twenty-two grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m.on Friday December 31, 2010 in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Bro. Harry Baldwin officiating. Burial will be in Sassafras Grove Cemetery near Onton.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until the funeral hour Friday at Harris Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sassafras Grove Cemetery Fund and Green River Hospice of Hopkins County.