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.