Category Archives: General

General information and news.

Thompson Foundation Update

Dear Thompson and Allied Family Cousins,

First of all, I hope you had a glorious Easter and will carry the Joy of the day throughout the year.  We are all very blessed.

Next, here is an update on the status of our Green Leaf Ebenezer Church and Cemetery.  As a reminder, our family association is now the owner of both the church as well as the old and new cemeteries.   (and the nearby Reubin Thompson Cemetery).  As I wrote to you last fall, Hurricane Helene took a direct path through Emanuel County and did a great deal of devastation.  Many of the tall slash pines on our land were damaged or uprooted, taking a toll on our various buildings, fencing and utilities.  According to our hard-working president, Andy Thompson, the following tasks have been accomplished:

  1. downed trees have been removed
  2. grounds were raked to removed roots, etc.
  3. Power and water have been restored to the church and to the outdoor restrooms

Still needed are repairs to the picnic shelter roof and restroom building roof.   Also, significant portions of the cemetery fencing need to be replaced and some tombstone repair work is needed.  About $50,000 has been spent and another $20,000 may be needed.  Thankfully, our insurance paid for a portion of these repairs and we have savings, but donations of any amount would be most appreciated.   In addition, your prayers are requested as we move forward and remain a strong family association.

As usual, our board members will be meeting this summer to plan our next reunion at Ebenezer Church which will be on Sunday, October 5th.  We welcome your suggestions, especially as far as involving more of our young family members.  Also, the deadline to apply for the $1000 Roots & Wings Scholarship is fast approaching on June 1st.  Please contact Chairperson Susan Middleton at 478-955-4377 or symiddleton@bellsouth.net for an application.  We hope to see many of you in October!!!

Marilyn Lear, Family Historian
Reubin Thompson Memorial Foundation
backriver@comcast.net
912-217-0984

Death of Mildred Frances Usry Thompson

Mildred Frances Usry Thompson

Mildred Frances Usry Thompson

Our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mildred Frances Usry Thompson, who passed away on June 11, 2024 in Eatonton, Putnam County, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 70 years, Clarence Ashley Thompson Sr. who died August 2, 2023 and had served as the pastor of Ebenezer Methodist Church of Kemp, Emanuel County, Georgia for 20 years.

Her interment was on June 15, 2024 in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Avera, Jefferson County, Georgia.

Below is her obituary from the James Funeral Home, 630 N. Main St., Wrens, GA 30833: Continue reading

Death of William Philip Stephens

William Philip Stephens

William Philip Stephens

Our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of William Philip Stephens, President of the Reubin Thompson Memorial Foundation, who passed away on Wednesday, October 04, 2023 at his home in Soperton, Georgia. “Philip” Stephens had attended every Thompson Family Reunion since it started in 1958, except for this year’s reunion due to his illness.

Below is his obituary from the Sammons Funeral Home, 4201 West Main Street, Soperton, Georgia 30457:

Continue reading

Christian Faith of a Youngblood Woman

Recently, I was performing more genealogical research on the Youngblood family and I located the obituary for Eliza Youngblood who died in Edgefield County, South Carolina in 1838.

Her obituary shows she was a woman of many strengths, especially her Christian Faith and should serve as an inspiration for us all. The following is her obituary: Continue reading

Thompson Reunion Newsletter – September 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

I want to thank everyone who made the 56th annual reunion last year so successful! Now it is time to invite you to the 57th reunion of Thompson kinfolk along with allied families. Sunday, October 5th, 2014, is the big day. As always, we will gather at Ebenezer Methodist Church in Kemp, west of Swainsboro, Georgia. The church doors will open at 9:30 for registration and visiting, with the program starting at 10:30. Casual dress is fine. Continue reading