Annie Laura Thompson

            Annie Eubanks Carlson Thompson, 85, was born in Birmingham, AL 3 November 1926 and died 2 December 2011 in Brooksville, FL.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Naomi Pemberton Eubanks Sanders, brother, James T. Eubanks, and husbands, Otto Carlson and Garth Thompson.

            Surviving family members include a nephew, James A. Eubanks; nieces, Nancy Wilkins, Sherrill Godfrey, and Sandra Caldwell; cousins, Ray (Barbara) and Hugh Pemberton and Virginia Pemberton Robison.

            Annie was an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church.   In 1949 she and a colleague initiated ministry on St. Vincent Island where they built 2 churches and established many Sunday (Monday) schools.  Upon her return to the U.S. in 1954 she was appointed Missionary Society Director (now Global Partners).  She promoted mission work through  publications, selected reading courses, prepared program books, edited  Missionary Society News Sheet  and  Junior Missionary magazine.  She wrote I Sent You to Reap, These Went Forth, Pilgrim Missions in Africa and other publications to assist the growth and awareness of mission work around the globe. She organized missionary societies at the district and local levels.  In addition she oversaw the sorting, preparing and shipping of clothing and supplies to overseas areas.  She held meetings throughout the U.S. and raised thousands of dollars for missions.  She visited mission areas in the Caribbean, northern South America, and southern Africa.  History of her work is included in church publications honoring Wesleyan Women, Celebrating Our Legacy and Celebrate Our Daughters.

            Later she served five years as pastor of the DuBois, PA church and for several months was the interim pastor of Cypress Wesleyan Church, Columbus, Ohio.  After retirement in Florida, she taught the Lamplighter Class at the Brooksville Wesleyan church for several years.

            Her early education was at Intercession City Bible College and Kingswood College.  She earned degrees from Cedarville University and The Ohio State University and taught 17 years in Columbus, Ohio, City Schools.

            A memorial service will be held in Brooksville Wesleyan Church 12 December 2011; a gathering of friends at 10 a.m. with service at 11 a.m. Graveside services will be in Oakland Cemetery, Birmingham at a later date.  Faithful to her calling, she served the Lord to the end.  She loved many and was loved by those who knew her.  She will be greatly missed.

            To honor her labor of love, donations may be made to missions, HPH Hospice Brooksville, Alzheimer Association, or charity of choice.