Debra Helm Tompkins

Debra Helm Tompkins, 66, of Summerville passed away peacefully after a long courageous battle with cancer on December 22, 2025.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 11 o’clock at Parks Funeral Home, 130 West 1ST North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. Flowers are accepted or memorials can be made in honor of Debra to the Breakthrough T1D, https://www2.breakthrought1d.org, American Lung Association, https://action.lung.org/, or The American Cancer Association, https://www.cancer.org/.

Debra was born on December 23, 1959, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was the beloved daughter of Ledwarth Helm and the late Dorothy Faye Helm, and she cherished her parents deeply throughout her life. Debra was a devoted registered nurse for 43 years, dedicating her career to caring for others with compassion and kindness. Nursing was not just her profession, but her true calling. In her free time, Debra found joy in sewing and going antiquing with her husband, always excited to discover their next project to work on together.

Debra is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, James Edgar Tompkins of Summerville, SC; father, Ledwarth Helm of Summerville, SC; son, James Preston Tompkins (Jackie) of Summerville, SC; daughter, Sarah Grace Cantrell (Jared) of Summerville, SC; sister, Sherry Lynn Veddar (Kurt) of Fishers, IN; along with 2 granddaughters, Gracelyn Noel Cantrell, and Emmarie Faye Cantrell. She is predeceased by her mother, Dorothy Faye Helm.

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 W. 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome.com.

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