Anne Tompkins Causey's Obituary
A memorial service celebrating the life of Anne Tompkins Causey of Leesville will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Leesville, LA with Pastor Andy Durbin and Pastor Maurice Johnson officiating, with a reception to follow in Sartor Hall at the church.Anne was born on November 1, 1941 in Oakdale, Louisiana to her parents James Chrisman Tompkins Jr and to the former Lela Blanche Wells both of Hattiesburg, MS. She passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 in Leesville, LA.The epitome of a southern lady, Anne had an ever present grace and charm with a constant smile that warmed the heart & made a lasting impression on everyone she met. A peacemaker by nature, Anne’s personality was the calm on the water for all projects and organizations she gave herself to. Anne grew up in Hattiesburg, MS as a young child until 1953 when she & her family moved to Gulfport, MS. They returned to Hattiesburg in 1958 where she finished her Senior Year at Hattiesburg High School, graduating in 1959. She then took university classes at the former Mississippi Southern College in Hattiesburg, MS for two years & received an Associate’s Degree.Anne began her career as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines in 1961 based out of New York City. She had the great opportunity to be selected to serve as flight attendant for President Kennedy in 1962/1963. On a chance blind date, she met a West Point cadet, Daniel A Willson whom she married in 1965. Two years later, while stationed at Fort Knox, KY, they welcomed their son Dan Jr to the family. In 1970, they were blessed to receive their daughter, Patricia, into their family while living in West Point, NY. After a second assignment in Kentucky & Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, The Willsons received orders for Fort Polk in 1976. Anne worked as an airline ticket agent for SATO in Fort Polk, and she was also President of the Officer’s Wives Club. The consummate Wampus Cat parent, Anne always supported her children through the years at various school events & games. In 1986, Anne married the long-time Leesville resident & coach, Rodger Causey. She began working as a customer service representative at the Leesville Sabine State Bank in 1990 ultimately retiring as the Vice President and Regional Customer Service Manager for the Southern Region of Sabine State Bank in 2011. She was Board President of the Chamber of Commerce in 2007. In July of 2008, Anne was appointed by Governor Bobby Jindal to the Louisiana Women’s Policy & Research Commision. Not one to be idle, Anne took the helm at the Chamber of Commerce during a difficult transition on a “temporary” basis at the beginning of 2012. In July of that same year, she officially became the permanent Executive Director of the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce where she retired in 2020. Among her many accomplishments at the Chamber were Visions for Vernon, Partners in Education in support of the Vernon Parish School Board, assisting with the formation of Fort Polk Progress, the designation of Vernon Parish as an ACT work ready community and the Chamber’s Annual Photo Contest “The Beauty of Vernon Parish”. Anne considered as her Greatest Project her steadfast support & love for the soldiers & their families who called Fort Polk their home. Anne’s involvement in organizing the Home Front Celebration was her favorite moment with more than 5000 soldiers & their family members being honored. In August of 2012, she was an honoree at the Home of Heroes Day for having played a pivotal role in the past & current development of the installation and surrounding community. Her name is displayed at Fort Polk’s Headquarters in the “Hall of Fame” of People Who Have Made a Difference.She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Leesville. During her time there, she served as Liturgist, Stewardship Drive Chair, Lay Leader & she organized TLC (The Lord’s Children) events every month for many years. Anne joined the Leesville Rotary Club in 1997 where she received the Paul Harris Fellow award in March of 2002 & served as club President from July 2003 to June 2004 & served as District Treasurer for 2 years.She is preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, LTC Daniel Willson Sr, US Army (Ret), as well as her late husband, Rodger Causey. Left to cherish her memory are her two precious children Dan Willson Jr (Brenda) of Shreveport, LA and Patricia Willson of Moore, OK - her loving sisters Redon (Ron) Forest of Coppell, TX, Marcia Colliver of Shubuta, MS, and Sarah Odom (John) of Moselle, MS - her beautiful granddaughters Caitlin Willson and Lauren Willson both of Shreveport, LA - her nieces Jennifer Ciobanu, Claire Campos (Robert), Lauren Hoffman (Bill), Rachel Reilly (Pat), & Kelley Willson - her nephews Chris Odom, Ron Forest Jr, Scott Willson (Laura), & Tyler Willson III - her great nieces and nephews Miriam Hoffman, Presley & Kendall Mayer, Beckham Campos, Julia & Isaac Ciobanu, Grace, Griffin, & Graham Odom, Victoria & Jessica Willson, Tristin Willson as well as So Many Dear Friends. We thank all of her dedicated caregivers who lovingly cared for Anne over the past several years. Finally, we thank Reverend Lindsey Sirman who visited with & ministered to her as well as her dear friend Pastor Maurice Johnson who called, visited & prayed very often for her throughout the many years they've known each other.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First United Methodist Church of Leesville, 202 N 5th Street, Leesville, LA 71446 and also to the DeRidder Jr Woman’s Club Cancer Fund (DJWC) at 2330 Dogwood Trail, DeRidder, LA 70634.
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