Mary Catherine Thompson

home of her daughter-in-law, Robin Thompson, in LaGrange, GA.

Mary was born in Staten Island, NY on September 14,1935, to the late Frank Robert Reynolds

and the late Rose Marie Fillinger Reynolds. She Graduated from Curtis High School in 1953 and

began her wonderfully adventurous life by working on Wall Street as Comptroller for Aetna

Insurance Company. She attended modeling school where she was recruited by Eastern

Airlines as a flight attendant. Driven by a deep desire to know “what is Truth?”, Mary picked up a

Gideon Bible from the overhead bin during a routine flight. She opened to John 14:6 and read

the words of Jesus: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Her answer was confirmed in Jesus

Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade in Madison Square Garden in 1957. Her love for our Lord

Jesus wrote the rest of her beautiful life story.

She left the airline industry to pursue a degree in nursing from Georgia Baptist Hospital where

she graduated in 1958 as Nursing Student of the Year. She then attended Oklahoma Baptist

receiving a BA in the studies of Theology and Psychology. After joining InterVarsity’s Nurses

Christian Fellowship she traveled the east coast organizing Bible studies and support groups

on college campuses in the ministry of our Lord. She took a position at Ponce De Leon Infirmary

and later as Director of Nursing of an ENT Hospital in Atlanta. It was during this time she was

introduced to the man who would become the love of her life, Harold Howard Thompson. After

marrying on February 15, 1975, they joined staff with Campus Crusade for Christ Prison

Ministries witnessing to and counseling men and women in prisons throughout the United States

and Puerto Rico. She also lead an International Bible Study during this time in Columbus, GA

and was keynote speaker at several women’s conferences.

Mary’s commitment to community and new experiences extended into her later years. On April

4, 2016, Mary and friend Eleanor Fredrickson, both residents at Somerby Of Peachtree City,

were videoed doing the Nae Nae dance (Watch Me/Whip Nae Nae). Once it was posted on the

internet it quickly went viral. As of this writing, the video has received 31 million views. Following

her famed debut she was interviewed by the Weather Channel, featured in Fayette Women's

Magazine and several other publications. Her enjoyment of life was surpassed only by her

enjoyment of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mary is predeceased by her brother Frank Reynolds,

and sister Rose Schotte McGlamery and son Jim Thompson. She leaves behind a loving

daughter-in-law Robin Thompson (Ken Ivey); three grandchildren, who adore their “Grams”

Jeremiah James Thompson, (Michelle), Sarah Thompson Johnson (Anthony) Hannah

Thompson Hughes (Richie); an equally adoring great granddaughter, Piper Jane Johnson; son

Tom Thompson; nephews Stuart Schotte (Cathy) and Douglas Schotte; nieces Susan Davidson

and Jennifer Lynne Reynolds; many great nieces and nephews; and friends as close as family

Ross and Lynne Greene and Anne Soderman. She will be missed by so many others whose

lives were touched by her gentle, loving spirit.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Young Life of Fayette County:

https://giving.younglife.org/MRTmemorial. They would be honored if you would join them

in celebrating the life of our beloved Mary at 10:30 on October 28, 2023 at Better Way

Church, 800 Stallings Rd, Senoia GA, where we will enjoy even more memories of

Mary’s beautiful journey. Please RSVP [email protected] if you plan to join the family for

conversation, food and refreshments after the celebration.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting

www.shlagrange.com. Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Rd, LaGrange, GA 30240,

(706) 884-8636