Lila Vermel Thompson

Lila Vermel Pipes Thompson peacefully moved to her permanent home in Heaven on Saturday, August 27, 2016. Lila Vermel Pipes was born November 2, 1926, in Terrell, Texas, to William Edward and Laura Felkner Pipes. Vermel married Theodore A. Thompson on June 2, 1950. Vermel was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is also preceded in death by her brother, L. J. Pipes, (Tee), her sisters, Martha Helen Pipes Blasius, (Curtis), and Billie Jo Pipes, also brother in law Woodrow McMichael.

Vermel, a 1943 graduate of Terrell High School, started working as a bookkeeper for Wheatley Manufacturing in Terrell before moving to Dallas and beginning her career at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. She was one of the first women communication consultants and she received many awards for her outstanding work through the years. Vermel retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1987.

Vermel was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for many years where she served as a part of a ladies prayer ministry team. Before her health started declining, she moved her membership to and attended St. James Episcopal Church. After moving to C. C. Young Nursing and Retirement Center, she looked forward to one of the deacons from St. James bringing communion and sharing scripture and prayer with her each week. Raelynn Scott, the Chaplain from the Hospice team at C. C. Young was also a very special blessing to her.

She loved spending time with all of her family and anyone that knew her could see the love and pride she had for her children, Laura and John, and their families. She looked forward to yearly sister trips to visit cousins and relatives in Oklahoma and Arkansas. She also loved traveling especially to places like Alaska, Europe, and Florida. She was a voracious reader and completed crossword puzzles with amazing speed and accuracy. All of her family and friends loved her quick wit and positive attitude.

Vermel is survived by her daughter, Laura Jeanne Thompson Deniz and her husband, David, of Whitney. She is also survived by her son, John Edward Thompson and his wife, Robin of Mesquite. Others include her grandchildren, Ryan Thompson, (fiancé Samantha Smith, son Beau Smith), Dina Deniz Blakeman, (Alan), and David Deniz, (Theresa), a great granddaughter, Chanler and great great granddaughter, Adalynn. She is also survived by her sister, Winnie Pipes McMichael of Dallas, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude for the wonderful care and friendships from the C.C. Young Skilled Nursing staff and Hospice staff, especially Sam and Florence.

Visitation, followed by a service celebrating the life of Lila Vermel Pipes Thompson will be on Tuesday, August 30th at Sparkman Crane Funeral Home at 10501 Garland Road, Dallas. Visitation will be 4:30-6:30pm, and the service at 7:00pm with Rev. Rebecca Tankersley officiating. A graveside service will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, TX on Wednesday, August 31st at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Vermel’s memory to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or the Melanoma Research Foundation (www.melanoma.org). Condolences may be left on Vermel’s online guest book at www.sparkman-crane.com.