Gloria Ann Thompson

Gloria was born in 1938 in Louisville, KY to James and Adele Wallace. Following the war, the family moved to Knoxville and then to Memphis, TN. She attended East High School and Memphis State University in Memphis where she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority, and graduated from UNC-Greensboro in 1973. She received her MBA from UNCG in 1985. Gloria worked for many years for Blue Bell (Wrangler Jeans) and was self-employed when she retired. In 1958 in Memphis, she was married to Walter Cliftin Thompson. Following their marriage, they lived in Baytown, TX where their three children were born; Charlotte, NC for several years; and finally in Greensboro where they made their home for over forty years. Walter and Gloria were always together in their adventures, whether it was taking flying lessons and becoming pilots, travelling to the beach or to Alaska, or volunteering for Mobile Meals. They also visited many family birthplaces in their family genealogical research. In addition to working full time, Gloria was a tireless volunteer. She served on the neighborhood boards at Francisco Place and Whitehall. She was a charter member and past president for the Women’s Professional Forum and the WPF Foundation. Since she was a born organizer, we are sure that she is writing a newsletter in Heaven. A lifelong Episcopalian, she was a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Walter Cliftin Thompson; daughter, Susan Thompson; son Chris Thompson and his wife Ann Thompson; daughter Laura Kilmartin and her husband Paul Kilmartin; grandchildren Michael Thompson, Christopher Bonner, Kathleen Kilmartin and Patrick Kilmartin, all of Greensboro. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Luis Navarro, also of Greensboro; and her niece and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and grandson, Gary (JR) Cooper, Jr.

There will be a visitation Friday, April 12 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 10:00am at St. Francis Episcopal Church led by the Reverends Michael Moulden and Robert Black. The interment of the ashes will follow immediately after the service in the church Memorial Garden. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the Parish Hall at St. Francis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the WPF Foundation, PO Box 38594, Greensboro, NC 27438 or the St. Francis Endowment Fund, 3506 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro, NC 27408.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.