Patricia "Joyce" Young Tompkins

Patricia “Joyce” Young Tompkins, 76 of St. Albans, passed away peacefully on December 7 at CAMC Memorial after a prolonged illness. Joyce was born on December 16, 1946 in Charleston to Jesse and Reba Young and was the oldest of three children. She was preceded in death by her father & mother, Jesse & Reba Young, her sister, Teresa “Susie” Young and her beloved grandmother, Audra Young fondly referred to as “Bobo.” Growing up, Joyce was involved in her family church where she developed an enduring love for the Lord. She enjoyed singing in church and school and participated in All-County and All-State choruses. She also developed an early-on passion for sewing and made many of her own clothes. After graduating from St. Albans High School in 1965, Joyce worked at the Kanawha County public library in Charleston and then at the WV College of Graduate Studies. In 1969, she married Thomas B. Tompkins and became a homemaker at their residence in St. Albans. They went on to have three children, Jennifer, Rebecca and Amy. In 1983, she returned to work and became the Secretary of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in St. Albans where she worked until 1994. Joyce was a loving and fun mother who taught her daughters the importance of working hard, pursuing an education and becoming self-supporting women. She also emphasized the importance of having a life-long spiritual relationship with Jesus. Joyce and her family were active members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in St. Albans where they faithfully attended each Sunday. She made sure her daughters were involved in the church through a myriad of activities including Acolytes, children’s choir, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and youth group. She loved sharing her talent for sewing with her daughters and created many Easter, Homecoming, prom and bridesmaids dresses. She later designed and created wedding gowns for two of her daughters. When her first granddaughter was born, she designed a christening gown for her that was again worn by her second granddaughter. She lovingly made clothing, shoes, and accessories for her granddaughter’s American Girl dolls. After leaving St. Mark’s in 1994, Joyce pursued her love for sewing by doing bridal and prom alterations at Pamela’s Bridal in Teays Valley and Nandell’s in Eleanor. During these years, she altered gowns for hundreds of girls and brides throughout the Kanawha Valley. Her talent was recognized by many, and she developed a reputation for being a top-notch seamstress. Joyce also did numerous alterations fand helped design and alter uniforms and costumes for several schools across Kanawha County. Joyce is survived by her husband Tom of 54 years, daughters Jennifer Matheney (Jeff), Rebecca Cservek (Kevin) and Amy Payne (Ray Burke). She has six grandchildren – Jacob, James, Hunter, Connor, Kaelin and Morgan. She is also survived by her brother Bill Young of Florida. Visitation will be on Monday, December 11 from 6-8 PM at Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home in St. Albans. Services will be on Tuesday, December 12 at 11 AM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in St. Albans followed by burial at Cunningham Memorial Park in St. Albans. The family will host a brief reception back at St. Mark’s following the burial service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the following charity: Christ’s Kitchen and Food Pantry, Inc., Box 248, St. Albans, WV 25177.

Patricia "Joyce" Young Tompkins

December 16, 1946 - December 7, 2023