Mary Nell T. Thompson

Mrs. Mary Nell Todd Thompson, 94, widow of Ralph LaRoy Thompson, died Thursday, June 1, 2017, in Williamsburg Regional Hospital in Kingstree, SC, after a short illness.

Mrs. Thompson was born November 26, 1922, in the Dogwood Neck Community of Horry County, SC, a daughter of the late Benjamin Haskell Todd and Julia Armenta Parker Todd.  Mary Nell (or “Mernell” as she was often called by family) was a graduate of Wampee High School.  She received an Associate Degree from what is now called Spartanburg Methodist College (called Textile Industrial Institute when she entered) in 1942, and a B.A. in Early Childhood Education in 1972 from the University of South Carolina.

Mrs. Thompson taught in the mid-1940’s at Red Bluff Elementary in Horry County before she married.  She taught both first and second grade in school year 1942-43 and both third grade and fourth grade in the school years from 1944-1946.  Later with the Williamsburg County School System, Mary Nell taught her much beloved kindergarten classes from 1968 until 1986 (Lane Elementary, St. Mark Elementary and Anderson Elementary).  Mrs. Thompson received the Lane School Parent Educator Award for The Puzzle of Parenting Program from 1977-1981.  She was also a Williamsburg County Education Association Honored Teacher of the Year in 1982.

An expert seamstress, Mrs. Thompson also worked several years for Warsaw Manufacturing Company.  A member of the Kingstree First Baptist Church since November 12, 1944, she was active in multiple church activities, her favorite being a member of and a teacher of the Joyful Rainbow Class for decades. She counted each woman of that class her friend.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her son, Ralph LaRoy Thompson, Jr., of Kingstree. Mrs. Thompson, a “middle child,” was also preceded in death by all of her seven siblings:  Oneida Todd Martin, Laurene Todd Dusenbury, Benjamin Clayton Todd, Breckenridge Haskell Todd, Ella Pearl Todd Willard, William Judson Todd, and Marjorie Todd Holt.

Survivors are:  her two daughters, Eileen T. (Binky) Maness of Kingstree and Julia T. James (Rick Frank,fiance) of Ladson; 9 grandchildren, Laurel Lifrage Wade of Union, Tamara Jane Lifrage of Spartanburg, Andrew Maness of Summerville, Jennifer Ferguson Elkins (Brian) of Simpsonville, Marjorie Ferguson Crowder (Paul) of Mt. Pleasant, Todd Kendley James of Ladson, Benjamin Edward Thompson of Columbia, Michael Scott Thompson of Columbia, and Paul Anthony Thompson (Julie Shahon—fiance) of Kingstree; 11 great-grandchildren, Jeremy Seth Wade (Lacey) of Kentucky, Logan Adair Wade and Nicholas Blake Wade of Union, Lyla Addison Lifrage of Kingstree, Ryley Elkins of Simpsonville, Harrison Crowder and Luke Crowder of Mt. Pleasant, Chloe Thompson of Mullins, Dezmund CorbinThompson and Dylan Xavier Hartgrove of Lexington, and Isaac Patton James of Florence.  Mary Nell Thompson was also the great-great-grandmother of Mason Wade of Kentucky.

Funeral Services will be 3 PM Saturday, June 3, 2017, in Kingstree First Baptist Church, with burial in Williamsburg Cemetery. Mrs. Thompson’s family will greet friends in the church fellowship hall before the service from 2 to 3 PM. Memorials may be made to Kingstree First Baptist Church, 400 N. Academy Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituaries page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.