Keith Marvin Thompson, Sr., 93, of North Charleston, passed away on Saturday, September 8, 2018. He was born on May 20, 1925 on the Thompson family farm in Manning, South Carolina to the late Keith Marvin Thompson and Lula Morris Thompson and was the youngest of five children. He married Betty Hatfield on August 3, 1953. They spent 65 wonderful years together before his passing. He loved his God, his family and his country and was a World War II veteran having served in the Pacific aboard the USS Formoe, a destroyer escort, in the United States Navy. He worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and worked his way up from Shop 38 to Supervisor Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair. He worked for thirty three years in service to the United States Navy.
Keith Thompson was truly a Palmetto Gentleman and was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor David Beasley. Mr. Thompson was a member of Strict Observance Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite, York Rite and Omar Shrine Temple Swamp Fox Hospital Unit. One of his great joys was transporting children and their families to the Shriner’s Hospital. In addition he was Past Worthy Patron of Jessie Bell Shonk Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. He was honored by Naval Base Chapter Order of Demolay and Dorchester Waylyn Assembly Order of the Rainbow for Girls with awards for dedication to these youth organizations. Mr. Thompson was Past Commander of John L. Weeks Post # 3142 Veterans of Foreign Wars and held numerous offices and positions at both the state and local level. He was active at the local and state level with the South Carolina Congress of Parents and Teachers and held numerous offices within the organization. His work with this organization brought him state and national recognition and, through his efforts, students were added as an integral part of PTSA. In addition, Keith Thompson served as Chairman of the Charleston County School Board. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Federal Credit Union. Mr. Thompson served as a magistrate within the Charleston County Magistrate/Summary Court System. He held a positon on the Charleston County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Commission and also served as a board member of the North Charleston Housing Authority. Mr. Thompson was a past president of the Evanston Estates Civic Club. As an adolescent, he and his sister regularly sang in their home church. He and Betty accepted their Lord early in their married life and established a church home at Dorchester Waylyn Baptist Church which today is known as Doorway Baptist Church where Keith Jr. is a church deacon. They are still in membership there. There was never a family gathering or meal where Keith Thompson failed to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to his Heavenly Father for the blessings and bounties that were bestowed upon him and his family. There is no doubt that he was welcomed into his Heavenly Home with open arms.
Ever the family patriarch and the glue that held them all together, he will be dearly missed by his family. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. His survivors include, his loving wife Betty H. Thompson of North Charleston, his children: Joyce T. Dearing (John) of Summerville, Pamela T. Copeland (Mike) of Hanahan, Donna T. Field (Ralph) of Silverdale, Washington and Keith M. Thompson Jr. (Dana) of North Charleston. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Heather F. Crain (Joel) of Silverdale, Ashley F. Zednick (Carson) of Silverdale and Logan T. Field, also of Silverdale. Mr. Thompson is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Keith and Lula Thompson and siblings and their spouses: Cammie T. Cook (Winston), Helen T. Barrineau (George), Neal J. Thompson (Dell), and Margaret T. Richburg (Harry). Additionally, he was predeceased by his nieces Gertrude B. Evans and Miriam R. Myers and a nephew, David Johnson.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2018 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm followed by a funeral service at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home, 7113 Rivers Ave. in North Charleston. Burial will be at Carolina Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association South Carolina Chapter or The ARK of South Carolina (Alzheimer’s Family Support Services).
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