Melissa Dawn Tompkins, age 47, went to be with her Lord and savior on Sunday, November 6, 2022.

Born in Danville, Virginia on September 19, 1975, she was a daughter to Thomas Earl Coleman and Laverne (Bunnie) Annette Allen.

From childhood Melissa was active in her faith and had a love for people. Being a Pastor's kid she was apart of many churches and attended many schools. Eventually her family settled in Eden, NC where she later graduated from Morehead Highschool. In her early 20's Melissa met her husband of 26 years Michael Tompkins and they began a family with their three beautiful children Bryeanna, Tristan and Shelby who she loved more than anything in this world. Melissa remained firm in her faith through trials and tribulations and served in and many churches of her community. As a Military wife she took on the duties of Family Readiness Coordinator. Melissa touched many hearts and was known to have never met a stranger. She had a special gift of making it easy for people to let their guard down and talk with her. She never cared what walk of life others came from, what their struggles were, and never judged. Melissa was known for her porch therapy talks, and loving and nurturing her dogs.  She was often lovingly called "mama bear" by many others in the community that she loved and cared for.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the National Guard Armory at 406 Hospital Rd. Smithfield, NC.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Eugene Tompkins Jr.; daughters, Bryeanna Nicole Hamilton and husband Kindu Pete Hamilton; Shelby Elyse Grae Tompkins; son, Tristan Nathaniel Tompkins; mother, Laverne (Bunnie) Annette Allen Coleman; father, Thomas Earl Coleman;  brothers, Christopher Earl Coleman and wife Thayer Harris Coleman; Jeffrey Eric Coleman; sister, Jennifer Harris Sumner and husband, Bradley Sumner; grandmother, Viola Kennon Allen; grandson, Kyrie Pete Hamilton, and nephews, Braxton Coleman; John Henry Sumner, Andrew Coleman, and Cameron Coleman, along with many dear friends.