Berdie Marie (Guiles) Thompkins, 85, passed away Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Hospital of Central Ct @ New Britain General. Berdie was born in Pamplico, South Carolina to the late William Howard Taft Guiles and Icelean Brown Guiles. Berdie was raised in a loving Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age at Mill Branch African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina. She was a graduate of Wilson High School in Florence, South Carolina. She later moved to New Britain, Connecticut where she married James Thompkins, Sr. who predeceased her in 2006. Berdie worked at Criticon in Southington for a number of years until retirement. Berdie was a longtime, faithful member of Spottswod A.M.E. Zion Church in New Britain where she enjoyed singing in the church choir. She also enjoyed gardening, reading her Bible, cooking and getting her daily exercise by walking. Berdie really enjoyed laughing and talking with people. She loved her grand/great grand kids. Berdie was predeceased by three brothers, Douglas "Mack",' William "Joe" Guiles and Winston Guiles; a sister, Helen Lewis; and her eldest son, Mark Thompkins. She leaves to cherish her memory: son James (Cathy) Thompkins, Jr., Plainville; daughter Janet Thompkins, New Britain; daughter Felicia (Jeremy) Case of Marion, Indiana; sister Dorothy "Dot" Mann; four brothers, Lora "Lank" Guiles, Sam (Denise) Guiles, John (Lillie) Guiles and Taft (Cynthia) Guiles; ten grandchildren - Thomas (Shannon) Newton, Mark Thompkins, Isaiah Thompkins, Laurenzo Thompkins, James Thompkins, Joshua Thompkins, Jordan Thompkins, Isabelle Case, Zoë Case, Camille Case; five great grandchildren - Daegiana Newton, Daequane Newton, Daemiane Newton, Destanie Newton and Navaeh Newton; dear family and friends.
Homegoing Celebration for Berdie will be held Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11 am at Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church, 25 Crestwood Lane, New Britain, Ct. with the Rev. Burley McHenry, presiding. Committal service and final resting place will be in Fairview Cemetery, 120 Smalley St., New Britain, Ct. Relatives and friends may call at Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church, Monday from 10 am to 11 am. Service of Comfort provided by The Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Avenue, New Britain, Ct. To extend condolences to the Thompkins Family or to share a memory of Berdie, please visit our website @www.shakerfuneralhome.com
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