Laura Sue Thompson

Laura "Sue" Thompson, 88, passed away unexpectedly on December 11, 2022 at her home in Brookdale Midwestern Assisted Living Center in Wichita Falls, TX. Sue was born on December 3rd, 1934 to Carl and Letha Nichols in Altoona, Alabama, their first daughter. She was well-loved by her parents and siblings. Her mother died in childbirth when Sue was just 5 years old, and this was a sad memory she carried with her for the rest of her life. She grew up out in the country and enjoyed close relationships with many cousins and friends. Sue graduated from Susan Moore High School in Snead, AL in 1932, and was married to her high school sweetheart James Roy Thompson on April 3, 1953. On May 25, 1954 their first child, Deborah Sue Thompson, was born in Gadsden, Alabama while Roy was in basic training for the Air Force. They moved to California shortly after on his first assignment where Kathryn Ann Thompson was born January 25, 1956. For the next 12 years they lived in many places throughout the world courtesy of the United States Air Force. James Stephen Thompson was born November 25, 1957 in Misawa, Japan; Laurie Evelyn Thompson was born September 19, 1961 in Madrid, Spain and David Carl Thompson was born November 12, 1970 in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Sue was a full-time mother and homemaker, moving her entire family and household numerous times to follow her husband wherever he was stationed. She stayed in touch with friends from all over the world and always sent Christmas cards to families they came to know and love at each place they landed. Other places they lived include Orlando, Florida; Machiasport, Maine and Kenai, Alaska. The family settled in Iowa Park, Texas in 1967 and lived there for 10 years, with the oldest children graduated from Iowa Park High School. In 1977, after Roy retired from the Air Force, he started a second career in Pittsburgh, Texas and the remaining 4 members of the family moved there. They were in Pittsburgh a couple of years before transferring to Athens, Texas where they lived until Roy's death in 2008. Although their family was spread out in Texas, their home in Athens was a gathering point for all the family over the years. Sue had many friends in Athens and loved socializing, especially with her Salad Supper group. In 2010, Sue moved to Wichita Falls, Texas to be closer to family. She spent many very active and enjoyable years at Royal Estates, where she met her second love Paul Peeples, before moving to Brookdale where she could receive more assistance. We will always be grateful to staff at these two assisted living facilities for their care of her, and to Paul for his unwavering love of our Mom.

Sue was predeceased by her parents, Carl and Letha Nichols; her stepmother, Nellie Nichols; brothers, Earl and Wayne Nichols; sister, Ann Nichols; husband, James Roy Thompson, son-in-law Bobby Bowling; daughter-in-law, Kelly Thompson. She is survived by a brother, Carlee (and Jeanette) Nichols; her children: Debbie Bowling of Tatum, TX, Kathy (and James) Dudley of Iowa Park, TX, Jimmy Thompson of Kamay, TX, Laurie (and Gary) Blackerby of Cypress, TX, and David Thompson of Dallas, TX. She is also survived by grandchildren Kevin (and Amy) Bowling, Rusty (and Courtney) Bowling, Matthew Bowling, Troy (and Melanie) Radford, Jamie (and Allen) Torda, Alisha Thompson and Logan Thompson; great-grandchildren Jacob Bowling, Amelia Bowling, Aveline Bowling, William Bowling, Remy Bowling, Dyllan (and Maranda) Radford, Calvin Radford, Payton Radford, Grace Radford, Cason Radford, Houston Radford, Jordan Radford, Casen Torda, Cooper Torda, Cade Torda, Christa Dennis, and Semaj Chandler. She was so proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was really proud to have attained great-great-grandma status with the births of Kanyan, Rosalie and Oaklynn.

Sue was a Christian and a long-time member of Faith Baptist Church in Iowa Park, TX. We can rejoice even in our sadness since we know she has joined other family members in Heaven. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Faith Baptist Church IP, or to another charity of your choice. There will be a viewing and visitation at Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park on Wednesday, December 14th from 5-7, and funeral service at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, 1910 E. Tyler Street, Athens, Texas at 2 PM on Thursday, December 15, 2022.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.duttonfuneralhome.com for the Thompson family.