Leona was born in Plain, Kansas on October 17, 1919 to Andrew Bender, Jr. and Florence Viola Lathrop.
On November 15, 1946, she married the late Clarence Carlton Thompson with whom she shared a 60-year marriage. Leona was a beautician and homemaker and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Smackover.
Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, Clarence Carlton Thompson; sisters, Rheta Long, Wilda Yorke, and Viola Bender; brothers, Earl and Dean Bender; and daughter-in-law Gloria Wilkins Thompson.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Tommy G. Thompson (Judy) of Hot Springs, and Michael Amos Thompson of Smackover; daughter, Ruth Marie Pumphrey (Roy) of Smackover; seven grandchildren, Tina Buss, Cynthia Martineau, Melanie Price, Candis Langley, and Joseph, Luke, and Wesley Burch; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Monday, January 20, 2020 at Young's Funeral Directors. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Crossroads Cemetery in Smackover, with Bro. Carly Davis officiating under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Smackover, 500 W. 7th St, Smackover, Arkansas, 71762 or John R. Williamson Hospice House, 2301 Champagnolle Rd, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730.
