Family and Friends Family and Friends
So heaven has received another angel
The night sky another star Your life has become a loving memory
We know you will never be far. We know you are watching over us
As our lives go on We will treasure the memories we have of you;
We can't believe you're gone. You were a loving, caring grandad
You were there for us a lot You will always hold a place our my hearts,
A loving treasured spot. You were really one in a million,
A cut above the rest. All that knew you would agree
You simply were the best. So Grandad we will say goodbye;
We love and miss you with all our hearts But as long as we have your loving memories
We will never be too far apart.
We, the family of Mr. John Edward Thompson, wish to thank our
many family members and friends for all the wonderful acts of
love and kindness rendered during the passing of our loved one.
May God bless each of you!
Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home 2930 Colonial Drive Columbia, South Carolina 29203
Willie A. Tompkins, Founder (803) 254-2000
bosticktompkinsinc.com
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished by course,
I have kept the faith.” — II Timothy 4:7
Mr. John Edward Thompson, 84, of Irmo, South Carolina was born
September 23, 1932 to the union of the late Mr. Tom Thompson and Mrs.
Lular Devault Thompson of Jenkinsville, South Carolina and Chapin,
South Carolina, respectively. He passed away Thursday, August 24,
2017, surrounded by his beloved wife and children.
He attended the public schools of Ballentine, South Carolina and was a
member of the Greater Hopewell A.M.E. Church of White Rock, South
Carolina. In addition, he was known in his community as a local
entrepreneur and diligent employee of the City of Columbia from where
he retired after 31 years of faithful service.
Mr. Thompson was united in holy matrimony to Mrs. Ruby Burkett
Thompson in 1952. The union was blessed with eight children.
He was preceded in death by all of his siblings to include three brothers
and five sisters: John B., Haskell and Ernest Thompson and Willie Mae
Bates, Lucinda Martin, Geneva Geiger, Jessie Mae Smith and Lillie
Brazell. Mr. Thompson was also the grandfather of the late Murillo A.
Thompson.
Mr. Thompson leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife and
caregiver, Ruby Burkett Thompson, and two sons, James Edward
Thompson of Dover, Delaware and Bruce (Trudy) Thompson of Irmo,
South Carolina. He also leaves to cherish his memory six daughters:
Loretta Gandy (Harvey) of Irmo, South Carolina, Gloria Eargle (Leon)
of Chapin, South Carolina, Ruby Hall (David) of West Columbia, South
Carolina, Phyllis Mills (Rodney) and Angela Scipio, both of Columbia,
South Carolina and Janice Thompson of Irmo, South Carolina. He is also
survived by a host grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces,
nephews, other family and friends.
By Christopher Javis
This morning as I reflect on my friendship with the man
on the left Otis Gandy. I gain a greater understanding of
the man on the right Ed Thompson Otis grandfather. See
God has placed people in not just your path, but also in
your life for training and development for his glory. See
Otis allowed me to serve as his big brother today and
growing up as kids because he didn't have a brother as I
did. The significance of our relationship was beyond
anything that I could have thought of as a child, but now
as I reflect on why my ability to be quite and listen as well
as being slow to react and protective of family and
needing to be committed to this woman whom is my wife.
A great deal of that came from being alongside my friend
while his grandfather Ed Thompson taught him. Ed was a
man among men in our community on Elliott Richardson
rd. See Ed allowed us as kids to have a place to express
ourselves and become young men and women in this
world. He was a business man with no formal training in
business and this only added wood to the fire burning
inside of me today. Mrs. Ruby, Skinner, Bruce, Loretta,
Phillis, Alfreda, Bunny, Ann and Janice your father was
one of the many men whom God allowed to shape and
mold me and I thank you for sharing him.
Pastor, Covenant Assembly Christian Ministry
Prelude
Processional
Final Farewell to Our Beloved John .............................. BTFH Staff
Hymn of Praise ............................. Greater Hopewell AME Church
Prayer of Comfort .................................................. Bishop C.D. Hardy
Scripture Readings
Old Testament ........................... Licentiate Sonya Lybrand
New Testament ................... Reverend Charles Anderson
Solo ....................................................................... Brother James Eskew
Reflections (two minutes please) ......................... Family and Friends
Poem ................................................................... “The Family Reunion” Read by Chandria Eargle, Granddaughter
Resolution ...................................................... Sister Christine Burton
Solo ........................................................ Jessica Ester, Granddaughter
Words of Comfort ........................................... Pastor Wanda Rapley Pastor, Greater Hopewell A.M.E. Church
Recessional
Committal, Closing Prayer, Benediction & Interment
5400 Bush River Road • Columbia, South Carolina
Immediately following the burial, please join the family for a repast at
Greater Hopewell A.M.E. Church.