Evelyn Lydia Thompson

Evelyn L. Thompson In Proverbs 31: 10-31, King Solomon speaks of a virtuous woman. The family of Evelyn L. Thompson have chosen this Proverb as a fitting tribute - to the life of a beautiful lady. Evelyn was born July 9, 1919, a treasured daughter of Thomas and Lydia Hughes, who both preceded her to Heaven. She had two brothers, Don Hughes and Kenny Hughes, who also have gone before.

As a beautiful 16 year old Olympia girl, she met the love of her life, Alvin Thompson, a handsome young soldier stationed at Fort Lewis. They met in Olympia's Sylvester Park over 80 years ago, fell in love and were married. Together they raised a large family and left a beautiful legacy of love, family and community. As developers of Thompson Place in the 1950's and Tanglewilde in the 1960's, Al and Evelyn made many wonderful friends as their large family grew. Their home was always open to the kids of the neighborhood as a second home. When they developed Tanglewilde, it was their special delight to include a beautiful park and outdoor swimming pool, which has been enjoyed by generations and is still being used to this day. Al went to Heaven in July of 2000, leaving Evelyn to live in the community they developed, in the home they had shared.

Evelyn lived out the remainder of her 95 years surrounded with love from her eight children, Sharon Lee (Sher) Thompson, Darlene Homann (husband, Jack), Rolland Thompson (wife, LaDeen), Dennis Thompson (Pam), Sandra Helton (husband, Terry), Kathy Thompson, Tami Thompson of the Olympia area and son, Tommy Thompson (wife, Kristin) of Jackson, Wyoming.

Proverbs 31 says of this virtuous woman that "in her tongue is the law of kindness" and "Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." These words are so true of our beautiful Evelyn Lydia Thompson. Evelyn delighted in her twenty-three grandchildren, her forty-two great-grandchildren and her eighteen great-great-grandchildren. She greeted them all with hugs and kisses and a huge smile. She loved celebrating birthdays, new babies, weddings, Thanksgivings, Easters and especially Christmas, opening her home to friends and her huge family for many years. She loved all kinds of music, especially Gospel music and she taught herself to play the piano. Music always filled her home. Evelyn was a devoted daughter to her own mother, setting an excellent example. She was a loving, supportive wife to Al and her value as a Mother and as a Grandmother to each of her children and grandchildren is beyond expression.

She loved to outfish the guys at Westport and, in her sixties, went hunting on horseback with Tom in the mountains of Wyoming. (Her first time on a horse!) Al and Evelyn enjoyed years of traveling with their trailer to the ocean, Wyoming and beyond. Mom was a Believer and she came from a Godly family. We can all know she is at HOME in Heaven, beautiful and happy.

The family wishes to thank each of her sweet caregivers, the kind staff from Hospice, Dr. Playstead and everyone who helped us to keep our Mom for almost 96 years. God greatly blessed our Mom's life on earth. He will keep our priceless treasure for us in Heaven until we can all be together again.

A celebration of Evelyn's life will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Mills & Mills Funeral Home Chapel, 5725 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater. Immediately following interment, family and friends are welcome to gather to share memories and refreshments at The Grand Holiday Ballroom, 1522 4th Avenue E., Olympia. (Free parking is available across the street at Salvation Army lot or free parking along 4th Avenue.)

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tanglewilde Recreation Center, in Evelyn's memory and in support of the beautiful Tanglewilde park and pool. The address is: TRC, 414 Wildcat SE, Lacey, WA 98503.