Johnnie Rhea Wayne Thompson

Mrs. Johnnie Thompson, age 97 passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2016 in Chautauqua Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born October 12, 1919 in Kinston, Alabama the daughter of William and Rosie Redmon Wayne. At age 9, her father passed away and at about age 18 her mother died. Johnnie lived from place to place, often working domestically with those she lived with as payment for her room and board. She graduated from Walton High School and lived and worked for the King Family. About that time she met the man who was to become her husband, Odell Thompson. As his wife she would become part of the business and political community as he worked with King and Company, Western Auto and later as he became County Commissioner and then Supervisor of Elections when that office was still in charge of Small Claims. Her husband died in March of 1990 and Johnnie lived some quarter of a century after his death. She remained active and even continued to drive till age 95. She had shopping to do in Geneva, and was active in her church, Friendship Baptist Church where she enjoyed gospel music. She loved sewing and delighted in working with flowers. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband, her daughter Maria, and her half brothers and sister.

Among survivors are her sons, Charles and wife Nellie, Orea and wife Elaine and Kenneth and wife Pat.
Her grandchildren, Rhonda and husband Joe, Nita and husband Michael, Michael and wife Crystal, Anthony and wife Vicki, Chris and wife Jill, Robin, Amy and husband Dennie, Mary Beth, and fourteen great grandchildren.

Floral arrangements are being accepted. Among those asked to serve as pallbearers are Rome Garrett, Sammy Hobbs, Ronald Edwards, Wilton Wooten, Tim Francis, Ralph Laird and Kevin Campbell. . A time of visitation will be Friday, December 2, 2016 from 10 A.M. until 11 A.M. in Friendship Baptist Church, 2415 County Highway 1883, DeFuniak Springs with the funeral beginning at 11:00 A.M. in the church with Pastor Jeremy Lewis officiating, Burial will follow in the Thompson Family Plot in Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery.