On Wednesday, October 21st 2020, Shirley Lorene Thompson, devoted wife, loving mom, and the best grandma this side of Heaven passed away at the age of 65, leaving her Earthly body and entered the awesome presence of our Lord.
Shirley was born May 18, 1955 in Fresno, CA to James and Helen Pruitt, and they moved to Arkansas in 1967. On January 8, 1983, she married Mack Thompson of Fort Smith. In 1991, they started Mack Thompson & Son Signs and have successfully owned and operated the business since. They raised a step-daughter Jennifer and son Kyle and fully loved on two grandchildren, Allie Kate and Harrison Wayne.
Shirley was passionate about a lot of things. She loved serving Jesus in the preschool at Grand Avenue Baptist Church. She loudly cheered on the Hogs. She enjoyed good BBQ. She loved sitting on her patio and listening to music. She and Mack especially had fun on their “adventure” day trips. But mostly, goodness did she love spending time with those Grand-babies. And they were definitely her babies. From watching cartoons and playing outside, to shopping and going on vacation, there wasn’t anything that she wouldn’t do for or with them (including a ride on the roller coasters she hated). She was funny, goofy, and just generally loved the life that God gave her.
Shirley was preceded in death by her dad James, mom Helen, brother-in-law Jerry and step-son Jeff. She is survived by her husband Mack, step-daughter Jennifer, son Kyle, daughter-in-love Meagan, and those two grand-babies, Allie Kate and Harrison. She is also survived by her siblings, Brenda, Joyce, Larry, Leon, Debbie, Marley, as well as their respective spouses. Not to mention the countless number of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and dear friends. She was well loved, to say the least.
A celebration service will be held on Monday, October 26th 2020, at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Smith at 10:00am. Arrangements are under the direction of Fentress Mortuary in Fort Smith. Public viewing will be from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Larry Pruitt, Gary Reddell, Herb Stewart, Kennedy Cha, Cory Norton and Marcus Maness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Children’s Ministry at Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 3900 Grand Ave. Fort Smith, AR 72904.
