THOMPSON, EMILY JOSEPHINE “JO” SMITH., age 91 of Trussville, moved to her heavenly home on Wednesday, December 31, 2014. She was born on July 23, 1923 in Cordova, AL to Zero and Mary Lou Smith. Emily grew up in the Acipco community of Birmingham where her father, Zero and her husband Tommy worked for the American Cast Iron Pipe Company for many years. She attended Acipco Grammer School and graduated from Phillips High School. Shortly after this she met the love of her life, John R. “Tommy” Thompson from the little town of Piper, AL. They were married in 1942 in New York City at The Little Church Around The Corner. They enjoyed 39 years of marriage before Tommy’s death in 1981. Emily bravely and courageously made her life for 33 years without her soulmate. Emily is survived by her daughter, Lindalu Barber (David) of Trussville, AL; grandchildren, Joel Barber (Mindy) of Birmingham, AL, Julie Hanner (Jeff) of Parrott, GA and Jenny Lou Grindle (Chris) of Vestavia, AL; and great-grandchildren, John Lewis, Lawson and Fischer Barber; Drew, Catherine, Mary Evelyn and David Grindle. Emily was preceded in death by her parents, Zero Masterson and Mary Lou Smith; brother, Steven K. Smith; and son, John R. Thompson, Jr. “Nana T” was the love of all of our lives and she unconditionally loved us all. We will cherish those winks of hers and those fun happy times we shared. We were so blessed to have her for 91 years. Wilson Chapel UMC was her church family and Brother Alex Oberneder was such an encourager to her in her last days. We invite you to a celebration of her life at Wilson Chapel UMC, 412 Cumberland Drive Birmingham, AL 35206 on Monday, January 5, 2015. Visitation is at 1 PM with a service to follow at 2 PM. Burial is at Elmwood Cemetery following the service. There will be no procession. The family would like to thank New Beacon Hospice for the excellent care they gave for the past 7 months. Thanks also goes to our beloved sitter, Alice Williams, who helped us so during this time. To those who would like to send a memorial, the family requests that they be sent to Prescott House, P.O. Box 55892 Birmingham, AL 35205. This is the Child Advocacy Center of Jefferson County that her son-in-law, David Barber founded in 1987 and is a private, non-profit agency for abused children.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18