Tommie North

Tommie Gipson North, 85, passed away peacefully at her residence on January 28, 2006 with her family. A memorial celebration will be at St. Marks Presbyterian Church, 2506 Johnson Avenue in San Angelo, Texas on Saturday, February 4, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. Tommie Eloise Wynn was born March 23, 1920, in Gorman, Texas, to T. R. and Martha Wynn. She attended schools in San Angelo, Texas, where she excelled in academics, particularly literature and writing. In 1940 Tommie married Fred Gipson and was his editorial support as he wrote Hound Dog Man, Old Yeller, Savage Sam and many other popular novels. Soon after their divorce in 1964, she worked for three years with the University of Texas Press in Austin. She returned to San Angelo to finish her college degree at San Angelo State University where she met and married Joe North in 1968. She taught English at San Angelo Central High School until her retirement in 1986. An avid reader, she continued to be active in book clubs, writing and genealogical studies. She will be remembered for her loving, sweet spirit and generous heart, a true blessing to everyone who knew her. Tommie was preceded in death by her husband Joe North, an infant daughter Martha Gipson, her son Mike Gipson, and her grandson Tom Gipson.She leaves behind her son, Beck Gipson and wife Sue two stepsons, Ronnie and Gary North sister, Marjorie Sager brother, Bill Buddy Wynn grandson, Ben Gipson, two stepgranddaughters, Kim Shields and husband Clint, Krista Roberts and husband Rance and five great grandsons, Braden Scott Shields, Reid Lewis Shields, Thomas Mason Roberts, Fisher Riley Roberts and Gipson Luke Roberts. Tommie leaves behind numerous close friends and an adoring family. The family extends a special thanks to her close friends of San Angelo and the aids, nurses and doctors of Vista Care Hospice and Caring Senior Services of Kerrville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Vista Care Hospice Foundation or any childrens literacy organization of their choice.

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