Jill Tompkins Yarnall

Jill Tompkins Yarnall

ASHEVILLE, NC: Jill Tompkins Yarnall, 39, of Asheville, passed away Wednesday, April 20, after a valiant but brief battle with cancer.

Born January 24, 1972 in Morgan County, Ohio, she was raised in Bucyrus, Ohio and graduated from Wynford High School. She was a graduate of the College of Charleston (S.C.) with degrees in Philosophy and Religious Studies. After graduation she worked as a public information officer at the Medical University of South Carolina and at South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium.

For the past 12 years, Jill was an admired and accomplished staff member at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, most recently serving as editor of the UNC Asheville Magazine. In 2010, she was named the Distinguished Staff Member of the Year, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to the university's communication efforts and her tireless dedication to the university community. Jill served as assistant director of News Services for 10 years, and won many area and regional communications awards. This year, her efforts on behalf of the UNC Asheville Magazine were recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education with a special merit award. She served two terms on the board of directors for the Public Relations Society of Western North Carolina.

Jill was an avid runner, having completed many races including the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. She also served as a mentor for many area runners, particularly encouraging women and younger runners in their training. Her love of animals, especially dogs, was a lifelong passion. She brought joy and love to all the lives she touched.

Jill is survived by her beloved husband of 14 years, J.R. Yarnall, and family members Maggie and Harley; by her mother, Peggy McInturf Harris and husband, Ted Harris of Bucyrus, Ohio; her father, William Tompkins and wife, Linda Tompkins of McConnelsville, Ohio; four sisters, Kelley Tompkins Robertson and husband, Mike Robertson of Mt. Carmel, IN, Amanda Welsh and husband, Roger Welsh of Malta, Ohio, Amber Wilson and husband, J.R. of Malta, Ohio, and Aleena Tompkins of McConnelsville, Ohio; she also is survived by a brother, Dr. Clay Harris and wife, Karen of Columbus, Ohio; her grandmother, Rose Harris of Bucyrus, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews; her extended family also includes, Robert and Marilyn Yarnall, her father- and mother-in-law; step-sister, Melissa Kelly of Olive Hill, KY; step-brothers, Ryder Hodge of Glouster, Ohio, Cary Hodge of McConnelsville, Ohio, and Matt Woodrum or Nashville, TN.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at the Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 North Broadway, downtown Asheville.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations "In Memory of Jill Yarnall" to the Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806.

Groce Funeral Home East Asheville on Tunnel Road is in charge of arrangements.

The memorial register is availble at obituaries at www.grocefuneralhome.com