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On January 4, 2025 Pastor Betty Fern Thompson, 93, went to be with the Lord and Savior she had faithfully served.
Betty was born to John and Janie Waldron of Hamil, AR on October 7, 1931 where she joined her sweet sister and lifelong best friend, Patsy. Her childhood was one of closeness and beautiful memories.
On May 29,1950 Betty married Samuel Leroy Thompson and as she often recounted, married into the most wonderful family; the Thompsons! Samuel had five siblings and the connection over the years was one of Betty’s great joys.
After their marriage they began a career in full time ministry that would span 70 years. Betty continued that ministry after Samuel died in 2019 until weeks before her death. She had a very distinguished reputation as a Bible teacher, published author, poet, musician, and leader.
Even though she had served many years in full time ministry by serving eight churches, something prompted her to be officially ordained with the Assemblies of God in 1999. Because of that official ordination she was able to serve as interim Pastor at the Assisted Living where she resided, during the hard lockdown of Covid. She conducted weekly services, played piano for the hymns, and also led a weekly Bible Study. She was so grateful she had listened to that prompting as the months of lockdown continued.
However the role she cherished most was wife to Samuel and matriarch of their large family. They had four children Phyllis (Skip), Patricia (Mark), Stephen (Karen) and Scott (Katie). Eventually all four children blessed Betty with 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Thanksgivings at Betty and Sam’s will always be cherished memories for the entire family. The annual event drew families from near and far to celebrate. Fondly we remember standing as a family and singing the Doxology before a bite was ever eaten. It solidified our gratitude for all God had done.
To her family Betty was the glue that kept them all together. She will forever be remembered for her hospitality, her ability to do anything she set her mind to, her green thumb, her seamstress skills, her love of all things family, her resilience in adversity, her tenacity to get the job done, her ability to stretch a dollar, and her consistent winning at Scrabble.
Betty is survived by her children and their families, as well as her cherished sister Patsy and her children: Judy, Kathy, Doug, and Jim. The deep bond between “the Sisters” will always hold a special place in the hearts of the family and remain a lasting source of love and inspiration.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and their daughter La Trisha. What a happy reunion! Betty’s family will have a service to celebrate her long beautiful life, officiated by her Grandson, Matthew Johnson, on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Lake of the Woods Church, a church she and her husband founded in 1992.
A visitation will be held at 10:00, prior to the service.
We invite you to join us as we honor our beloved mom and celebrate the extraordinary 93 years of her life.
In recognition of Betty and Samuel’s deep love for the church they founded, we kindly ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Lake of the Woods Church. Your generosity will help continue their mission of sharing God’s love in Mahomet, IL.
Lake of the Woods Church 910 S Trailside Drive, Mahomet, Il 61853
Private Internment will be held at: Riverside Cemetery Mahomet, IL
Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton IL, is in charge of arrangements. |
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Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com |
