Betty R. Thompson

Betty R. Thompson, 86, of New Philadelphia, died Thursday morning, June 10, 2004, in Union Hospital at Dover.Born January 18, 1918, in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late F. D. and Beatrice (Patterson) Ring. After Mrs. Thompson graduated from Martins Ferry High School in 1935, she continued her formal education at Ohio University with a Bachelor of Education. Throughout her 34 ½ years of teaching, she educated children in Martins Ferry, Smithfield, and Mt. Pleasant School Districts, before retiring in 1981. Mrs. Thompson was a member at Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia. Prior to moving to New Philadelphia, she lived in Mt. Pleasant, where she was a member of the Friends Church. There, she participated in missionary circles, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, and monitored the nursery crib room.After moving to New Philadelphia, Mrs. Thompson volunteered with Hospice of Tuscarawas County, was a member of the YMCA, and was a faithful visitor to area residents at nursing homes.Mrs. Thompson is survived by her four sons, James W. (Sheryl) Thompson of New Philadelphia, Richard L. (Emmy) Thompson of Lake Wales, Florida, Mark W. (Joanie) Thompson of Gainesville, Florida, and Curtis R. (Phyllis) Thompson of Arlington, Virginia; grandchildren, Shelley (Blake) Bowlin and Krista (Keith) Thompson, both of Lake Wales, Florida, Tammy Bair of Orlando, Florida, Patty (Blake) Langland of Columbia, South Carolina, Amy (Trevor) Burrier of Dover, J. D. (Brandi) Thompson of Dayton, Ohio, Brian (Jennifer) Thompson of Gainesville, Florida, Jody Thompson of Raleigh, North Carolina, Rachel and Nathan Thompson of Arlington, Virginia; 9 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to her husband, the late Lewis A. Thompson, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, 1 sister, and 1 grandson.Visitation will be held today, Friday, June 11, 2004 from 5 � 8 p.m. at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home in New Philadelphia and Saturday from 10-11 a.m. in Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia. A funeral service will follow visitation at the church on Saturday, June 12, at 11 a.m. with Rev. William A. Sowers officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church. Burial will be at Shortcreek Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, OH at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Broadway United Methodist Church, 120 Church St. SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, Gideons International Tusc. Co., 608 E. Wills Ave., Dover, OH 44622, or Mt. Pleasant Friends Church, Mt. Pleasant, OH 43939.