Emmeline Rosalie Thompson

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mrs. Emmeline Rosalie Thompson (Coull), who got her wings and began her walk with the angels on October 26, 2023, at the age of 97.

Emmeline was born on September 22, 1926 in Panama City, in the Republic of Panama, to James Coull and Violet Johnson. Her father was a laborer on the Panama Canal, and her young mother was a homemaker. Both parents extended custody of Emmeline to very close family-like friends, Edgheton Adam Hunt and Doris Lynch Hunt, who raised Emmeline with loving care, alongside their biological daughter, Irillina “Ruby” Pollard (Hunt).

Emmeline was a woman of strength, resilience, and unwavering faith. She was a beacon of love and warmth, whose nurturing spirit touched the lives of all who knew her. She worked for several decades as a Secretary at the Mark Street Residential Home, part of the Department of Childrens Services in New York City, and was also certified to board children in need in her home in Staten Island, New York.

Emmeline was a devoted wife to the late Mr. Oland Thompson. She raised her five children, instilling in them the values of kindness, respect, sound work ethics and the importance of family. She was a loving mother to Joselyn, Josefina, Dana Lee, Fred, and Oland Jr. Although Emmeline was the biological mother of these five children, many others considered her their surrogate mother.

Emmeline was an exceptional woman and a dedicated member of her church, Saint Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church, in Miramar, Florida, where she gave a helping hand by driving members to daily mass well into her older years.  Her faith was a guiding light in her life, and she shared that light with everyone she met. At church and throughout her life, she was known for making everyone feel welcome and loved.

In addition to her five children, Emmeline leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 17 great-great grandchildren who will miss her dearly. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who were like family to her.

Emmeline’s life was a testament to the power of love, faith, and family. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched with her kindness, her wisdom, and her unwavering belief in the goodness of people.

Emmeline is preceded in death by her parents, James and Violet; her custodial parents, Edgheton and Doris; her sisters, Ruby Pollard and Antonetta “Ethel” Foster; her brother, Rudolph Samuels; her beloved husband, Oland “Mr T.”; her first-husband and father of Joselyn and Josefina, John Woodrow Bell; her sons Fred and Oland “Papa”; her daughter-in-law, Geraldine "Jerry"; and her son-in-law, James.

We take comfort in knowing with certainty that Emmeline is seated at the table with our loving God watching over us, her love shining down like the warm sun. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the love and unity of the family she cherished so much.

A celebration of Emmeline’s life will be held at Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, Florida, 33024, on Monday, November 6, 2023. There will be a public viewing beginning at 3:00 PM, followed by the funeral service at 4:00 PM. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Emmeline’s Church, St Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church in Miramar, Florida, or to a charity of your choosing in Emmeline’s name.

Rest in peace, dear Emmeline, you were a blessing to us all.

For those unable to attend the service in person, you can join the service via a Zoom Meeting:

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89791011874?pwd=3cprtTTGVsAlRPAWY6nJn1j8LJk2yT.1

Meeting ID: 897 9101 1874

Passcode: 78518