CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Lillian O. Thompson, 97, formerly of Cornell, died on Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
She was born in Alexandria, Ind., and was the sixth of nine children born to John and Anna (Sprague) Ring. When she was four years old, the family moved to the Truax settlement in Cornell. Here she met the love of her life, Arthur N. Thompson, whom she married on Sept. 10, 1931. Art's parents, Nels and Margaret (Stoneclift) Thompson had established a farm in Cornell. It was to this farm that Art and Lillian moved in 1941 and on which they raised their family.
Lillian was a petite, highly energetic woman who worked beside her husband both on the farm and in the woods. Calling herself a "lumberjenny," she worked with total commitment to any task at hand. She also made herself available to befriend family and neighbors in need and had a special capacity for tending medical needs even though she had no medical training. She was present at birthing babies and other nursing procedures when the occasion demanded. This skill led to her future employment at the Delta County Convalescent Home in Wells in the early 1950s. After its closure she worked at St Francis Hospital, where she was known fondly as "Tommy," as a nurses aide until mandatory retirement. She then began work at nursing homes "taking care of old people" until she was 88 years old. She reluctantly succumbed to Alzheimer's disease which ultimately led to her death.
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Lillian O. Thompson
Lillian was a faithful member of the Escanaba Seventh-day Adventist Church where she was active in carrying out Christian principles of a life of service to her Lord and Savior.
She is survived by her daughter, Margaret (Peg) Knecht of Collegedale, Tenn., and her children, Dallas Knecht of Nevada, Douglas (Vickie) of California, Dixie (Greg) Owens of Tennessee, Dana (Joseph) Milholm of Tennessee; her son, Fred (Juanita) Thompson of Cornell, and their children, Sheri (Kelly) DeGrave of Tennessee, Cindy (Larry) Stotz of Wisconsin, Dr. Dennis (Sandra) Thompson of Tennessee, Daniel (Jamie) Thompson, Sr. of Tennessee, and Connie (Rodney) Schwark of Tennessee; her son, Nels (Beth) Thompson of Jackson, Mich. and sons, Bryan Thompson of New York and David (Elizabeth) Thompson of Missouri; Her sister-in law, May Ring of Cornell, Ruth Ring of Gwinn and Eva Brandt of Escanaba.
Addressed and lovingly called Grape by 31 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great grandchildren. Addressed and respected as Auntie Lola by numerous nieces and nephews
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Art in March 1977; her parents; five brothers, Paul, Everette, Walter, John, Jr, Earl; three sisters, Helen Lancour, Viola Walsh and Bessie Willette; great-granddaughter, Daphne Knecht, and many brothers and sisters-in-law.
Service will be at the Gardens of Rest Memorial Park, 6556 Hwys U.S. 2 & 41, Wells, Mich. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Gardens of Rest Chapel, Memorial service to be held from 2 to 3 p.m. with a luncheon at the mausoleum from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Burial will be in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.
The family has requested that memorial offerings be directed to ADRA, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904 or Signs of the Times, 1350 N. Kings Rd, Nampa, ID 83687. Personal tributes and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at Vtardiff@gardensofrestmemorialpark.com