Bernice Tompkins, Age 98

Bernice Tompkins started her teaching career with assignments in Hillsborough and Palm Beach counties in Florida. Following her marriage to Clarence Tompkins in 1946, she moved to New York City and started teaching in New York in 1947. She took eight years off to have four children before returning to teach in 1960 until her retirement in 1977. She participated in the start-of-school strikes in 1967 and 1968 and was active as a chapter chairman until her retirement in 1977. Bernice is survived by her sister, Clara Evans, and her four children: James Lane, Mary Ann, Evan Marcus and Rollin Putnam — all graduates of the New York City public school system.