Ernest "Ernie" Wayne Tompkins

The lungs of Ernie Tompkins–lungs that sang loudly and spoke life-giving words to countless people–finally breathed their last. Dr. Ernest Wayne “Ernie” Tompkins, 80, passed peacefully of respiratory failure while sleeping at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

He was born May 23, 1945, in Jacksonville, Alabama to the late Samuel Patterson and Mattie Bell Doss Tompkins. Ernest Wayne was the youngest of ten children, and their home overflowed with love and scratch-made biscuits, every morning. His family was very engaged in church where his love of music began. His childhood family life instilled in him a love of God, people, music, food, storytelling, and laughter.

Ever the force to be reckoned with, Ernest became a first-generation high school graduate. He then attended Emmanuel College (now Emmanuel University) where he made foundational, life-long friendships while earning his Associate’s degree. After earning his Bachelor's degree at Jacksonville State University, he served as a Chaplain’s Assistant while in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After his service there, he continued pursuing education by earning a Masters degree in Education from Appalachian State University and a Doctorate in Adult Education from NC State University.

One of his favorite positions was being the Director of the Learning Lab at Forsyth Technical College where he empowered eager learners with the learning skills necessary to harness the power of education. After thriving at Forsyth Technical Community College, Dr. Tompkins served the City of Winston-Salem as Director of the Police Academy and then Director of Training and Development. It was there where he met Nickol Northern whom he later married in 1996.

His passion to empower eager life-long learners eventually led him to start his private consulting practice, Tompkins Consulting Group, where he helped organizations, teams, and individual leaders work better together, emphasizing the inter-personal relational dynamics that affect organizational health and performance.

Ernie was active in the Winston-Salem community where he invested in numerous churches, non-profits, and arts organizations both personally and professionally. Along the way at each of these institutions, Ernie made life-long friendships that he still cherished until his final days.

Although he was part of several loving church communities throughout his life, he called Calvary Baptist Church home during his final 26 years; his involvement there was extensive including singing in the choir and serving on the day-school board.

Along with his aforementioned parents, Ernest was preceded in death by his nine older siblings Mary Elizabeth Reeves, Edward Tompkins, Alvin Curtis Tompkins, Dorothy Butler, Cecil Tompkins, Ruby Mae Laughead, James Franklin Tompkins, Minnie Murray, and Edna Virginia Tompkins, as well as niece Willie Mae Reeves and nephew Roy Edward Reeves whom he loved as siblings. Surviving is his wife of 30 years, Nickol Northern Tompkins; son, Patterson Tompkins (Erin); two grandchildren, Eloise Camille and Titus Rowe Tompkins; also surviving is an uncle, Dewitt Doss along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, many of whom he loved as if they were his children.

A funeral service to celebrate Ernie’s life will be held at 6:00 PM Monday, April 20, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church - Peace Haven Campus. The family will receive friends from 4:30-6:00 PM prior to the service. Ernie will be laid to rest in Jacksonville, Alabama after a graveside service on April 23, 2026.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hayworth-miller.com. While flowers will be graciously accepted on behalf of the floral enthusiast, memorial donations may instead be made to an inspiring non-profit of choice in honor of Ernie’s passion for and work with non-profits across the country.