GALLATIN, TN, January 07, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Grace Austin Tomkins has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Tomkins has established a distinguished legacy of service and leadership in Gallatin, Tennessee, marked by her unwavering commitment to community enrichment and volunteerism. Born in Nashville, she began cultivating her work ethic and sense of responsibility as a teenager, working for two years at a local flower shop where she assisted a florist in creating arrangements for special occasions. During her high school years, this early experience instilled in Ms. Tomkins an appreciation for detail and the importance of supporting others during significant life events.

Over the course of her lifetime, Ms. Tomkins has spent decades making an impact on those she has served. Following high school, her academic journey led her to the University of Kentucky in Lexington, where she earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts in 1964.

While pursuing her studies, Ms. Tomkins worked at a dress shop in Lexington and later served as an assistant to the university's Dean of Men. These roles provided her with valuable organizational skills and exposure to diverse perspectives, which would later inform her approach to community engagement. During the summers, Ms. Tomkins expanded her horizons by working as a camp counselor at a camp in North Carolina and spending two seasons employed at Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming.

Upon graduating from the University of Kentucky, Ms. Tomkins was recruited by Procter & Gamble at a job fair due to the company's proximity to Lexington. She joined the consumer goods corporation as a market researcher in 1964, conducting interviews with consumers to gather feedback on products such as laundry detergents, toothpaste and dishwashing liquids. Her responsibilities included qualifying participants for product placement studies, comparing Procter & Gamble products with competitor brands and compiling consumer insights for company review. Over two years, Ms. Tomkins primarily engaged with homemakers through phone interviews, home visits and mall intercepts, developing strong communication skills and an understanding of consumer needs.

In 1966, Ms. Tomkins returned to Nashville, Tennessee, and accepted the role of youth director at the local First Presbyterian Church, where she had grown up. Encouraged by Pastor Walter Courtenay, despite her initial reservations about her experience level, she recruited counselors, organized Sunday school teachers, and planned field trips and activities for the church's youth program. Her tenure lasted one year before she married and relocated to Gallatin in mid-1967.

After moving to Gallatin, Ms. Tomkins was offered a position in business development at a local bank, but declined due to practical considerations regarding compensation and job requirements. Instead, she chose to dedicate herself fully to volunteerism. This decision was notably made possible by Ms. Tomkins's family's financial stability, supported by her husband's furniture manufacturing business.

Ms. Tomkins's volunteer work has become widely recognized throughout Sumner County, Tennessee. In 1972, she organized the Auxiliary at Sumner Regional Medical Center (now Friends of Sumner Regional), where she played a pivotal role in expanding volunteer opportunities to include men alongside women. She also contributed directly by pushing hospitality carts to patient rooms and offering books, magazines and games to brighten patients' days for 53 years.

One year later, Ms. Tomkins's commitment to education led her to co-found Sumner Academy alongside her husband and friends. Motivated by concerns over overcrowded public schools, they established an independent institution for children ages four through eighth grade with a focus on maintaining small class sizes for optimal learning outcomes. Ms. Tomkins continues to serve on the board of Sumner Academy, which has thrived for more than 50 years.

A dedicated advocate for literacy and lifelong learning, Ms. Tomkins became a board member of Friends of the Gallatin Public Library upon its founding in 1995. The organization supports programming and special events that enrich the community while collaborating with county officials responsible for facilities management. Ms. Tomkins's passion for youth development extended into athletics when she co-founded the Gallatin Area Soccer League with local residents, including English expatriates associated with Dupont, and secured land from the community college for league use. She actively recruited coaches, served as both coach and referee, and helped introduce soccer as a vibrant recreational option for area families. She co-founded the Junior Service League of Gallatin and is a graduate of the first class of Leadership Summer in 1989.

Ms. Tomkins's civic involvement encompasses her role as the co-founder of the Sumner County Family YMCA. She has also volunteered extensively with senior community programs, including driving for the Seniors Community Life Ride and delivering for Meals on Wheels. Moreover, Ms. Tomkins held the title of circle president at Gallatin First United Methodist Church, board member of Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System from 1988 to the present. She was also a board member of Highpoint Health Sumner Hospital from 1989 to 2025. In 1989 she was a founding member of the Volunteer State Community College Foundation raising scholarships funds for students serving for 36 continuous years. She also served on the boards of Shalom Zone and the Salvus Center. She is currently very active in her First United Methodist Church serving on the Wellness and Outreach Committees. She also remains an active supporter and former board member of the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce.

In light of her exemplary service, Ms. Tomkins has been recognized through multiple honors, including a Tennessee Volunteer Administrators Health Care Award, an Annual Service to Mankind Award from Sertoma Inc., a Sumner County Volunteer of the Year Award from United Way and from Sumner County Family YMCA, a Gallatin Citizen of the Year Award, and an Excellence in Philanthropy Plaque from Volunteer State Community College.

Ms. Tomkins remains committed to continuing her impactful work with local charities, hospitals and churches. Throughout every chapter of her life, from early employment through decades of volunteer leadership, she has exemplified dedication, compassion and vision within her community. Her achievements stand as a testament to the profound difference one individual can make through steadfast service and civic engagement.

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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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