Lydia Christa Thompson

Lydia Christa Thompson, age 71, of St Simons Island, Georgia watched her beautiful birds for the last time before she entered into Heaven's Gates on Monday, November 7, 2022. She was admired by all for surviving many battles with cancer over the years, which she did with positivity, perseverance, courage, and determination. She was born to the late John Warner Thompson and the late Mary Ruth Poole on August 2, 1951 in Natchez, MS.

After graduating from Natchez High School, Lydia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art from Mississippi State University. She worked briefly in advertising in Atlanta, GA and relocated to Jekyll Island, GA in 1985 to become the apprentice of the late artist, Judith Hall. Lydia later moved to St Simons Island in 1991. She loved people and was often seen working in the Jekyll Island Visitor and Information Center.

Lydia, affectionately known as, "The Bird Lady," was a passionate conservationist, avid birder and well known artist in the Golden Isles. Her love of nature was fostered by her many years riding and walking in the woods with her Dad who was a forester. She founded the Operation Plover Patrol as a citizen research program to study and protect shorebirds on Jekyll Island and St Simons Island. The program recruited, educated, trained and managed volunteers to monitor shorebirds in their nesting habitat.

Active in The Coastal Georgia Audubon Society, The Georgia Shorebird Alliance, and The Georgia Coastal Artist Guild, Lydia also aided the DNR in educating beach goers about all things birds and nature as well as beach ecology. She also organized birding festivals and bird counts that were enjoyed by many. Lydia's tireless shorebird monitoring is responsible for educating many and saving endangered shorebirds over the years. She was awarded the Georgia Ornithological Society Award and other notable awards for her efforts.

Lydia was also well known for intertwining her love for birds with creating beautiful artwork, writing books, publishing articles, printmaking and etchings which are displayed in many area art galleries. She published one book for children that included her beautiful drawings of plovers in their habitat and had ideas for many more. Her artwork can still be seen at ArtTrends Gallery, 3305 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island. The Golden Isles has lost a true pearl and friend to all that "fly". She will be greatly missed by family, friends and fowl.

She is survived by her brother; David Thompson (Jean); nieces Elizabeth Attaway (John), Sally Crosswell (Jason), nephew, John Jeremy and great nieces Katherine Blackwell and Ava Crosswell and beloved dog, Finn.

A Celebration of Life Service with reception to follow will be held at 11:00 AM on December 10, 2022 at St Simons Presbyterian Church, 205 King's Way, St Simons Island, GA with Rev. Laurie Bentley officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Savannah Presbytery Pentecost Ecology Fund, 1105 Union Street, Brunswick, GA 31520.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Thompson family.