Ray Thompson

Ray Ellis Thompson Forest, Ms Funeral services for Ray Ellis Thompson, Sr., age 63 of Forest will be conducted at 2pm Thursday November 4, 2010 from the Forest United Methodist Church in Forest with interment to follow at the Eastern Cemetery in Forest. Rev Larry Duncan will officiate the services. Visitation will be held from 5pm to 8pm Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 1:30pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Forest. Mr. Thompson died at his home on Monday November 1, 2010 after an extended illness. A Simpson County native, Thompson was educated in the public school in Morton and Hammond. La. He completed his college degree while serving in the military. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Bayreauth, Germany, Ft. Bragg, N.C., and Ft Carson, CO. Thompson served on active duty in combat in Vietnam from 1969-1970. After completing his military service, Thompson returned to Scott County and worked for a number of years as manager of Transmo Transmission Company in Jackson, He spent the rest of his career as the owner and operator of The Tire Barn at Lake. Thompson was a past member of the American Legion and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and was a member of the Salem Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jeanette Henderson Thompson of Forest; a daughter, Tina Thompson Wicker (Joey) of Florence; a son, Ray Ellis Thompson, Jr (Kim); five grandchildren, Jordan Morrow of Hattiesburg, Josie Balance of Florence, Jace Wicker of Florence, Rayanna Thompson of Eastman, Gabe Thompson both of Eastman, Ga; his mother, Mary Catherine Grave of Morton; three sisters, Shirley Holmes of Morton, Bernice Traxler of Forest, and Mary Kyzar of Morton. Thompson was preceded in death by his father, Luther David Thompson;step-father Otis (Shorty) Graves; brothers L.A. Thompson and Bill Graves; and sister Betty Ruth Graves. Pallbearers are Ben Henderson, Sam Henderson, Paul Henderson, Eddie Henderson, Joey Wicker, Sid Salter, Cole Pope and David Perkins. Honorary pallbearers are Ronnie Fortenberry, Dr. Gayle Harrell, Jerry Bustin, Robert Roncali, Vaden Jackson, Joe Wicker and Collin Windham Ott & Lee Funeral Home of Forest is in charge of arrangements.

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