Obituary for Bee Thompson
Mrs. Bernadine “Bee” Lois Thompson, age 92, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away on January 17, 2023, at her home.
She was born April 27, 1930, in Jefferson City, Mo., the daughter of Louis Edgar and Mary Alice (Ryan) Wyrick. She was married on August 30, 1949, to Guy Arthur Shelton. They had two children, Linda Grace (Shelton) Boyce and David William Shelton. Bee and Guy divorced in 1956.
Bee worked at a few jobs, and notably was an IBM keypunch operator for the Missouri Division of Employment Security during the late 1950s.
On July 8, 1957, Bee married Leonard Lee Thompson at Central Church in Jefferson City. To this union, their two sons, Eddy and Michael Thompson were born. Their marriage lasted 64 years until Lee’s passing on February 26, 2022. After marrying Lee, she was able to be a homemaker full time, raising the four children and helping with some of the grandchildren. She also used her clerical skills to assist Lee with his insurance business which he operated out of the family home.
She attended several churches, and enjoyed her time with First Baptist Church, Central Church, and Westview Missionary Baptist Church the most. Bee was a pianist for several years at Westview.
Having sisters is a blessing that Bee was able to experience; her identical twin sister, Geraldine Louise “Jerry” Lehman, Catherine Mardell Spurlock, and Grace Annabel Birkhead. They stayed very close, often writing letters two or three times per week. Bee also maintained an ever-growing greeting and holiday card list, often receiving more than 100 Christmas cards, which she would put on display at home each December and January.
Bee was a creative and talented woman, often times buying patterns and making clothes for herself and her family. She crocheted blankets and gave away many of them as gifts. Cooking was fun for her and she especially loved making desserts, specifically Christmas cookies. She stayed up many late nights, baking and decorating cookies for family and friends. Both Bee and Lee liked gardening and tomatoes were her favorite. Summertime was extremely busy for Bee as she prepared and canned fresh vegetables. In her later years, she made time for additional hobbies such as jigsaw puzzles and making scrapbooks. Bee had a self-assured nature and wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion. These are qualities those who knew and loved her will remember.
Survivors include her two sons, Eddy Thompson of Jefferson City, Mo., and Michael Thompson and husband, Larry Sanders of Columbia, Mo.; nine grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Bee was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lee Thompson; her daughter Linda Boyce; her son David Shelton; her three adult sisters; and twin infant siblings, Louis and Mary.
Private graveside services and entombment will be conducted at the Mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Westview Missionary Baptist Church, 1036 Lomo Dr., Jefferson City, Mo., 65109.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
She was born April 27, 1930, in Jefferson City, Mo., the daughter of Louis Edgar and Mary Alice (Ryan) Wyrick. She was married on August 30, 1949, to Guy Arthur Shelton. They had two children, Linda Grace (Shelton) Boyce and David William Shelton. Bee and Guy divorced in 1956.
Bee worked at a few jobs, and notably was an IBM keypunch operator for the Missouri Division of Employment Security during the late 1950s.
On July 8, 1957, Bee married Leonard Lee Thompson at Central Church in Jefferson City. To this union, their two sons, Eddy and Michael Thompson were born. Their marriage lasted 64 years until Lee’s passing on February 26, 2022. After marrying Lee, she was able to be a homemaker full time, raising the four children and helping with some of the grandchildren. She also used her clerical skills to assist Lee with his insurance business which he operated out of the family home.
She attended several churches, and enjoyed her time with First Baptist Church, Central Church, and Westview Missionary Baptist Church the most. Bee was a pianist for several years at Westview.
Having sisters is a blessing that Bee was able to experience; her identical twin sister, Geraldine Louise “Jerry” Lehman, Catherine Mardell Spurlock, and Grace Annabel Birkhead. They stayed very close, often writing letters two or three times per week. Bee also maintained an ever-growing greeting and holiday card list, often receiving more than 100 Christmas cards, which she would put on display at home each December and January.
Bee was a creative and talented woman, often times buying patterns and making clothes for herself and her family. She crocheted blankets and gave away many of them as gifts. Cooking was fun for her and she especially loved making desserts, specifically Christmas cookies. She stayed up many late nights, baking and decorating cookies for family and friends. Both Bee and Lee liked gardening and tomatoes were her favorite. Summertime was extremely busy for Bee as she prepared and canned fresh vegetables. In her later years, she made time for additional hobbies such as jigsaw puzzles and making scrapbooks. Bee had a self-assured nature and wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion. These are qualities those who knew and loved her will remember.
Survivors include her two sons, Eddy Thompson of Jefferson City, Mo., and Michael Thompson and husband, Larry Sanders of Columbia, Mo.; nine grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Bee was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lee Thompson; her daughter Linda Boyce; her son David Shelton; her three adult sisters; and twin infant siblings, Louis and Mary.
Private graveside services and entombment will be conducted at the Mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Westview Missionary Baptist Church, 1036 Lomo Dr., Jefferson City, Mo., 65109.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.