Fay Jennings Thompson

Fay is preceded in death by her beloved husband of almost 62 years, James William (Bill) Thompson, and her parents Alma C. and Oliver S. Jennings of Old Hickory, TN. She is survived by her sons Hubert Thompson and Paul Thompson, both of Chicago, IL, and son Boyd Thompson and daughter-in-law Lisa Keylon Thompson of Nashville, TN. She is also survived by her nephew Tommy Ballard and niece Tracy Ballard, both of Biloxi, MS, and by a large extended family. She also was loved by her grandpets Barbara Gordon and Justice.

She was born on September 18, 1931 in Old Hickory, TN, and graduated from DuPont High School. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music from George Peabody College for Teachers, now a part of Vanderbilt University, and pursued further study at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Fay showed a talent for music when she was a young child, when she started playing piano at the age of three. She quickly became a talented piano player and began giving piano lessons to other children as a young girl. Fay would become a talented vocalist and join her parents as a member of the Southern Gospel singing group The Jennings Trio, also accompanying them on accordion and piano. She also sang with the Anita Kerr Singers and sang at the Ryman Auditorium, West End Methodist Church, and The Temple. She was active in radio, recordings, and public performances, and in later years became a regular contributor of historical articles to the Cumberland Valley School of Gospel Music newsletter. She authored a book on the history of traditional gospel music, “Notes on Shaped Notes.”

Fay was a member of the music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota, for almost 70 years, and was twice president of the Alumnae Chapter of SAI. She was a former member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the National Federation of Music Clubs and a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. She taught private piano pupils at her home, first in Old Hickory and then in Nashville, for over 60 years. Fay was on the music faculty of Freewill Baptist Bible College, now known as Welch College, for many years. She also taught at the James D. Vaughan School of Music, the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Cumberland Valley School of Gospel Music.

Fay was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church for fifty years. She served as the church pianist and assistant organist for 34 years, accompanied the youth choir, and taught music classes for children. She sang in the church choir and as a soloist, including annual performances of “O Holy Night” on Christmas Eve for many years. Fay served as the director of the Women’s Missionary Union and co-coordinated the Missions and Ministry committee, and she served as the President of the Martha Ann Blount Women on Mission. She was also a vital leader of the Vietnamese Refugee mission program and organized the annual Christmas food drive program for refugees that lived in Nashville. Fay also volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program as a mentor for young girls in Nashville.

After retiring from teaching, Fay and her husband Bill worked for Holland America cruise line, where they traveled to many countries and provided the religious and musical services for the voyages. Her greatest joy was attending gospel hymn singing conventions, as she had her entire life. In her last years Fay enjoyed attending fitness classes as part of the Fifty Forward program at the Bellevue YMCA; she loved her fellow transportation group members and enjoyed riding the bus with her friends to the Y. She also volunteered at The Meadows rehabilitation and assisted-living center, where she often sang with a gospel hymn sing group and gave special piano performances for residents.

The family would like to thank Fay’s caregivers Dee, Eva, and Melanie for their loving care of Fay. Also, gratitude is extended to the staff of the Vanderbilt 5th floor Round Wing and Palliative Care Team for their wonderful care.

The family will be welcoming friends from 11 am to 1 pm on Monday, September 10th at Immanuel Baptist Church in Belle Meade, TN. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 pm in the sanctuary of the church. A private entombment will take place at Hermitage Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Hermitage, TN.

At Fay’s request, memorial gifts can be made to the Cumberland Valley School of Gospel Music, the James D. Vaughn Museum, Welch College, Immanuel Baptist Church, or the charity of your choice.