Sara Jo Thompson

Sara Jo Cray Thompson, 91, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on May 9, 1933, in Atlanta, Georgia, she was the daughter of Oscar Brooks Cray and Ruby Lillian Murray Cray. At the age of 3, she moved to Tampa, Florida, where she grew up and graduated from Hillsborough High School.

On November 20, 1951, Sara Jo married her junior high school sweetheart, Donald Neal Thompson, and together they shared many adventures throughout 73 years of marriage filled with love. After Donald’s retirement from the Air Force, Sara Jo worked for 19 years with the Hillsborough County School District, where she wrote that her greatest career fulfillment was “working with teachers to help students learn new things.”

Sara Jo loved serving the Lord and was involved in her church, particularly as a member of the choir. At home, she enjoyed reading the Bible aloud with Donald and playing hymns on the piano as an expression of worship. She treasured spending time with family and friends, whether through meals, travel, or playing games. Dominoes were one of her favorites, and she was still able to play until her passing. Sara Jo and Donald created lasting memories with their grandchildren, taking them on many trips over the years. She loved and supported her family, always showing pride in their accomplishments.

She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Oscar Jr. and Calvin, who were both killed overseas while serving during World War II. Sara Jo is survived by her devoted husband, Donald; three daughters, Denisse Thompson, Kathryn Jones (Dennis), and Elizabeth Jones (Richard); four grandchildren, Devin Jones (Lindsey), Jennifer Donovan (Jeremy), Alexander Jones, and David Jones (Lauren); and two great-grandchildren, Jericho Jones and Justice Jones. She was lovingly known as “Mama Jo” to her family and friends and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life will be held on January 28, 2025, at Riverhills Church of God, 6310 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa, Florida. A private interment will be held at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Church of God World Missions (https://riverhills.tv/ or https://www.cogwm.org/give/) or Alzheimer’s Research (https://www.alzfdn.org/ or https://curealz.org/).

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