Jill Collean Yarnall
January 24, 1972 ~ April 20, 2011
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Jill Tompkins Yarnall, 39, of Asheville passed away Wednesday, April 20, after a valiant but brief battle with cancer.
Born Jan. 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, Ind.; 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, Tenn.
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.
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Love you Jill. I will miss you.
Shayla
I remember Jill as a very kind soul and we will miss her.
Even though we haven’t seen each other in years; my heart is sadden by our loss. I will remember all the fun times at Grandmother & Granddad’s when we were kids. Please know JR, Aunt Peggy,Uncle Bill, Kelley and Clay that we are keeping you in our prayers hoping you will find peace. Love Shauna, Gerry, Chase, Mitch and Savannah
The world has lost a lovely soul much too soon. I remember Jill as a dedicated student and enthusiastic and talented writer for Wynford High School’s student newspaper, The Royal Times. My deepest condolences to Jill’s family.
We have all your family lifted in prayers. With our love & deepest sympathy.
My deepest condolences to Jill’s family and all who loved her. She was a wonderful colleague and member of the campus community. Her beautiful smile and sense of humor lightened any group. It was great to walk into a meeting and see Jill cause you knew a friend was at the table. She is gone much to soon and will be forever missed.
To the Family of Jill Yarnall,
I had the pleasure of meeting Jill through Weight Watchers (WW). She always brought so much joy and inspiration to the meeting room. I was always intrigued about how dedicated she was to running. And envied that I didn’t have the same enthusiasm about the sport. At times, her mother would attend the meetings with her. And I would watch the interaction between the two and say to myself, ‘What a wonderful support team they are.’ I will always remember Jill and positive energy she brought to WW on Saturday mornings. Now that she has finished her last race…may she rest in peace. Because we all know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD.
To Jill’s Loved Ones:
I am so very sad to hear that Jill has left us. I grew up with Jill in the Wynford school system in Crawford County (Ohio). She was a year younger than me, but I always found much to look up to in Jill. She definitely enriched and influenced my life in memorable ways.
I’m pretty certain that when we were very young we used to pretend to be Brazilians touring America on very long bus rides home from school! When we were in high school, Jill made everything more fun–band, choir, the school newspaper, drama club. . . .
I will remember Jill for her quality character, refreshing individuality, and for her leadership, creativity, warmth and generosity. It was Jill who told me about a scholarship program that ended up playing a pivotal role in my choice of colleges, and, of course, in the course of my life after college.
I’m very grateful to have known Jill. The world is very much poorer without her presence, and my prayers are with those who knew her best and loved her most.
Sincerely, Alison Phillips Kovac
Jill, it is hard for me to understand the reason why you were taken from this earth so soon, but I know you are in a better place. Until we meet again…..
Your Cousin
To Jill’s family. It was a pleasure working with Jill. She was a pleasure to work with and always wore her beautiful smile. I pray that God will give you all strength for the difficult days ahead. I am so sorry for your loss. With deepest sympathy.
Betty Ponder
We never had the privilege of meeting Jill but knowing her mother she must have been a wonderful person. Our deepest condolences.
Dear Family,
What an honor it was to work with such an outstanding lady. When I first began at UNC Asheville, I was told if I had any questions to call Jill regardless because she would find an answer. So many times I followed that advice. Each time I called upon her I knew that if she didn’t know the answer she wouldn’t stop until she found it. Jill always had the most beautiful smile and her personality could make you smile regardless of how you might feel. She was a blessing to work with and I am so happy I was given that opportunity. You have lost a wonderful lady in your lives but Heaven has gained another beautiful angel to watch over you each day.
May God comfort all of you during this time.
Dear Peggy and family:
We are so very sorry for the loss of your daughter.
I remember Jill as a young, bright and caring
women who supported many on their own
personal journey. She was most kind to me as
I found my way to women’s spirituality and feminist
theology.
She always signed off from messages as
‘Bright Blessings’ and while gone much to soon
from this life I wish her now and into eternity
‘Bright Blessings, Jill. ‘
Patricia Todd August 2016