Vivian Marie Thompson

Vivian Thompson, a long-time Austin resident, died Wednesday from a heart attack. She was 82. She was born Vivian Marie Carter on June 3, 1925, in Wichita Falls. At 15, she supported her mother and four younger brothers after the death of her father, a World War I veteran. She graduated from Wichita Falls High School and worked part-time until graduation. On May 19, 1946, Miss Carter married Kyle Thompson, a prominent Texas journalist and political aide who served as Austin bureau chief for United Press International and press secretary to Gov. John Connally and U.S. Sen. John Tower. He died four years ago. Mrs. Thompson taught Sunday School at Hyde Park Baptist Church and, with her husband, helped establish the church's food pantry. She was beloved and admired for her compassion, energy, and inner-strength. She played bridge two days a week and was in sewing, quilting and antique clubs. Mrs. Thompson took business classes at the University of North Texas and obtained her real estate license. She also served on the Austin campaign staff for State Rep. Elmer Tarbox of Lubbock. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 1st at Hyde Park Baptist Church through Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, with internment at Texas State Cemetery, beside her husband. Memorial donations may be sent in memory of Vivian Thompson to the Kyle Thompson Journalism Scholarship at Midwestern State University, Office of Donor Services, 3410 Taft Blvd., Wichita Falls, TX 76308; or to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759. Survivors include three daughters, Linda Montgomery of Centreville, VA, Kay Thompson and Janis Thompson, both of Austin; three brothers, William Carter, Coral Gables, FL.; Alton Carter, Wichita Falls; and Bob Carter, Odessa; two grandchildren, Mandy Briggs, Houston; and Colin Montgomery, Moscow, ID, and two great-grandchildren, Cassie and Garrett Briggs. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com