Georgia Woodruff Thompson

Georgia Woodruff Thompson, of Kansas City Missouri, passed away peacefully in her home on February 1, 2022, at the age of 86. Her daughter and son were present at the time of her passing. Born on August 29,1935 in Aberdeen, MS to Dr Robert E Woodruff and Madora Ammons Woodruff. Her parents were community leaders and philanthropist who believed education was the great equalizer, so choose to send her to Holy Ghost Catholic High School in Jackson, MS where she lived with her Aunt Tee and Uncle Billie (Hattye and W.E. Ammons) and Cousin Earlene. It is there where she chose Catholicism as her faith which served as her place of centering and peace for her entire life. She also met her future husband Dannie Thompson during high school. She was a cheerleader, and Dannie played basketball for a rival Catholic school. She attended Boston College as one of a few ‘Negro’ students. She transferred to Xavier University in New Orleans, where she received a B.A. degree in elementary education in 1958 and she was “Miss Xaiver.” She married the love of her life, Dannie on December 26, 1958. Following and supporting her husband’s medical education and career, she taught primary education in Pascagoula, MS, Nashville, TN, and Kansas City, MO. After settling in the Greater Kansas City area, she left a career in education and joyfully raised her two children Dana and Dannie Jr. which she says, “those were the best years of my life.” With an emphasis on high quality education, she was committed to exposing her children to a broad range of experiences, activities, and people from different backgrounds. She wanted the very best for them as building blocks for life. After raising her children, Georgia combined her passion for fashion and keen eye for aesthetics careering in sales and as a personal shopper at some of Kansas City’s finest stores including Bonwit Teller, Sacks Fifth Avenue, Jones Store and Jacobson’s. In her retirement she enjoyed the relationships with her friends and community at San Francisco Tower Condominium, being “YaYa” to Dylan and Dannie III, and events at the Kaufman Center. She loved to travel which included trips to Las Vegas and other places with friends, including her special college friend Castro Spears of New Orleans. She especially enjoyed traveling to visit her daughter. She cherished the international trips they took together with Paris and Israel as the highlights. She enjoyed the sunset view of Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial and all the beauty found in the colors of the sky contrasted with the Guardian Spirit of Sacrifice on the tower of the Memorial. She believed that in sacrifice, there is beauty and growth.

She loved life, people, conversations, bright colors and beautiful surroundings. Through a smile, a complement, a conversation, a story, a suggestion about your wardrobe, a gift, or a quiet prayer she would find beauty and potential in just about anything. She lived a life wanted to bring out the best in everyone she encountered.

Through life’s pain and heartbreak, she lived in the moment. She leaned into her Faith and created Peace for herself and inspired it in others.

Georgia was predeceased by her parents Dr Robert E Woodruff and Madora Ammons Woodruff, her brothers Robert “Woody” Woodruff and James A Woodruff and husband Dr Dannie M Thompson, Sr. She is survived by her son Dannie Thompson Jr (Jill Faulkender Thompson) and two grandchildren, Dannie III and Dylan of Lenexa, her daughter Dr Dana Thompson of Chicago (Dave DeVries), special cousin Earlene Ammons Harris, special niece Regina Woodruff Vines and many beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws.

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Georgia (like the state), made an indelible impression on everyone she encountered. She made a statement just by entering a room. Her smile was infectious and although 5’3” in stature, she filled the room with her beautiful smile, disarming Southern charm, and humor. Her statement wardrobe was her signature. Georgia was multilayered and private: She was creative, eccentric, iconic, bold, and elegant. She was an educated teacher, a loving doctor’s wife and mother, mentor, and friend. Her unique style transcended time or trends.

When author and poet, Maya Angelou said…“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” She certainly could have been describing Georgia.

A Catholic Mass Memorial will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows (2552 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108) on May 13, 2022 at 10 AM followed by a life celebration at San Francisco Towers (2510 Grand Boulevard). In lieu of flowers, contributions to support educational scholarships can be made to her beloved college:

• Georgia Woodruff Thompson ’58 Endowed Fund at Xavier University of New Orleans https://giving.xula.edu/(memo Georgia Woodruff Thompson ’58 Endowed Fund)

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