Sylvia Tompkins Kays

Sylvia Tompkins Kays was born Sept 2, 1937, to Andrew and Vivian Tomkins on a farm in Sitka, AR. She moved to Williford at the age of 12, and at the age of 16, her family moved to Searcy where she met the love of her life, Glenn Kays. Sylvia graduated as valedictorian from Searcy High School in 1956 and married Glenn the following year, 1957.

Glenn’s military service and career beyond in steel brought them from Ft. Smith to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On their adventures they began their family, and Sylvia developed a love for travel. They eventually returned to Benton, AR to be near family.

Sylvia was a clever homemaker, seamstress, and skilled typist. She worked as an attorney’s assistant before joining the Howard Perrin Library and later the Saline County Library, where she retired. Her work at the library nurtured a voracious appetite for reading. While never receiving a university education, Sylvia more than made up for it with a reading regimen on par with receiving an advanced degree in literature or biblical exegesis or both. She loved to travel the globe, especially to the places she read about, and shared that love for travel with beloved friends and family. Sylvia and Glenn called Northside Church of Christ home since moving to Benton in 1965. Her piety took the form of regular scriptural study and the ministry of baking and delivering hundreds of casseroles—her favorite was chicken spaghetti casserole. Her final days were marked by cappuccinos, pastries, and laughter. She will be missed but dementia had stolen her away. Her family rejoices that she is whole again.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father and by Glenn.

She is survived by her sister Wanda Parrish of Memphis, TN; her brother John Tompkins of Tupelo, MS; her children, Denise (Cliff) Phillips of Lee Summit, MO; Greg (Heidi) Kays of Red Wing, MN; Angela (Gerald) Driskill of Bryant, AR; and grandchildren whom she adored: Lucas Phillips, Kara Phillips, Lexi (Dave) Donnely, Logan (Alex) Ritchie, Luke (Kaitlyn) Kays, Eli (Katelyn) Driskill and Abby (Elijah) McGrail and 6 great-grandchildren.

Sylvia’s family want to thank all those who have loved them and her through this long journey of decline; especially her Baptist Hospice nurses the staff at Pleasant Hill Hwy 5 house where she was cared for so well in her final months. Visitation will be at Smith Funeral Home in Benton on Friday, August 8 from 5:00-7:00 PM.

The family will have a private burial the following day and ask that in lieu of flowers, Memorials be made to the Corin Read Camp c/o Northside Church of Christ in Benton at https://www.continuetogive.com/4897470/show_donation_prompt or to the charity of your preference.

Sylvia B. Kays will be remembered for her unwavering commitment to her family, her impactful career, and her profound faith. Her spirit will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.