Raymond F. Thompson

Raymond F. Thompson, age 94, died on September 1. He was born to the late Fletcher and Lena Thompson of Bremen, Georgia on April 5, 1918. Mr. Thompson lived in Bremen, Georgia until 1950 when he came to Atlanta to enroll his first born daughter Betty in the Cerebral Palsy School in Atlanta where he and his wife Vesta who predeceased him in 1986 were involved for many years. In the late 50's and early 60's Mr. Thompson hosted barbecues in his backyard for a crew of volunteers who would sell a special newspaper to raise funds for the CP School and the day was called "Old Newsboys Day". He had talked about that recently saying that the generosity of people would amaze him as the price of the newspaper was "anything you want to give." In the early years of the school he would also donate his handyman skills and could be found many evenings working over at the school on some project. Mr. Thompson worked at the Doraville GM assembly plant until he took early retirement to care for Betty. He was devoted to Betty who is a quadriplegic and cared for her until his health would no longer allow for it. He was way before his time in working to gain acceptance for persons with disabilities. Mr. Thompson is survived by his daughter Betty of Decatur, GA, daughter Carol (Bart) Miller of Sandy Springs, GA, son Randy (Betsy) Thompson of Cumming, GA, son Wayne (Cathy) Thompson of Greensboro, NC and brother Render (Reba) Thompson of Bremen, GA. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren: John Miller, Elizabeth Miller Tucker, Bartley Miller and Mitchell Thompson and 5 great-grandchildren. The family is very thankful for the supportive friendship that Mariane McGarity gave to our dad. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, September 4th in the chapel at A.S. Turner & Sons funeral home in Decatur with interment at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. The Rev Lanny Peters will officiate. The family will receive friends on Monday, September 3rd from 5 to 7 PM. at A.S. Turner & Sons. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 East Lake Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033