Mary Jane Thompson

Mary Jane Thompson, passed away in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday, October 11, 2026. She was born in Versailles, Kentucky, to William Bertram King and Mary Ann King, who both preceded her. Our father was in the US Army, assigned as an attaché to the US Embassy. During her childhood, she lived in the Versailles, Kentucky area, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa and Mexico City, Mexico. Following Mexico City, our family returned to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Mary Jane completed elementary studies and was a 1976 graduate of Elizabethtown High School. She attended the University of Kentucky, where she earned a degree in Business.

Mary worked in manufacturing at Gates Rubber Company, Crucible Magnetics and retired from Summit Polymer having worked in the Human Resource group overseeing safety and environmental duties. In addition, she worked in cosmetology at Clinique and also earned certification as a hair stylist.

Mary Jane enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach, including numerous trips to Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mary Jane loved UK Athletics and followed UK basketball, football and women’s volleyball. Along with her husband Dave, brother, sister, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, she attended several SEC tournaments and got to see her beloved wildcats play basketball (and even see them win the SEC Tournament Championship). In 2011, a little more excitement occurred at the SEC Basketball Tournament, as a tornado hit downtown Atlanta just at the time UK was getting ready to take the floor. All the CATS fans wanted to play, but were overruled and finally left the Georgia Dome some two hours later. She actually loved all sports and most recently commented on watching the US Open (tennis) in September. She enjoyed canning vegetables and spending time with family and friends. Attending her high school class reunions was a huge part of that fellowship.

Mary Jane was married 27 years to James Dave Thompson, who preceded her in death. She is survived by Dave’s two sons, Devin Chase Thompson and Darren Ross Thompson, sister-in-law (half) Jo Ann Wakefield, brother Elster Ray (Etta) King, niece Melissa Lynn King and nephew Stephen Daniel King, and sister Anita Dell Duncan, whose husband, Alvin Wayne Duncan, preceded her in death. Mary is survived by numerous cousins and two aunts, Maggie King and Amelia Cline.

Visitation will be at Brown Funeral Home, 306 College Street, Elizabethtown, Kentucky on Thursday October 15th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral service will be 11:00 am, at Brown Funeral Home, with internment at Elizabethtown Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to American Cancer Society.

So long for now, Sis! You will be missed.

We love you!

Brown Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mary Jane Thompson.