May 9, 1944 – December 1, 2017
Mary Daniel Thompson was born in rural Williamsburg, S.C. on May 9, 1944, and raised on a farm. Her father, Rudolph Daniel, and mother Jo Smith Daniel were conservative Presbyterians and the entire community were members of Indiantown Presbyterian Church, where she was active as a child. After attending local public schools she attended Coker University, a private girls-only college at that time, and graduated in May 1964 with a double major, Music (piano) and religion. After graduation, Mary worked for the Federal Government, in the Social Security Administration, in several offices in the Southeast and finally in Birmingham Al, where she met her husband, being married for 47 years, Ronald Thompson. Mary was always active in church work, and especially enjoyed relationships with high school students. For several years she was a lay leader in Senior High activities, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood, including athletics, where she developed a successful girls’ basketball program. Later, she worked as a lay leader at First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, where she developed a high school youth choir. Mary capped her church career at Pelham United Methodist Church as Youth Director. Mary’s door was always open , day or night, for her “kids” problems and to give sound advice, or simply for an uncritical ear when needed. During her mid 60’s Mary experienced memory lapses and personality changes associated with early onset Dementia, becoming a patient in the Adult Day Care at South Highland Presbyterian Church, where she continue her ministry, helping when needed for those worse off than she, Several care givers enrolled their loved ones in this program after meeting Mary, who they thought worked in the facility, and frankly she did so. Due to the progress of her illness, Mary was admitted to Self Nursing Home, Hueytown, where she went to her eternal home.
Mary is survived by her husband Ronald, a local attorney, several nieces and nephews, cousins and, of course, her beloved “kids” at Trinity and First Presbyterian Churches. Funeral Services were held at Indiantown Presbyterian Church, Hemingway, SC where her remains were buried in the family cemetery. A celebration of her life and visitation, will be held at Ridout’s Southside Funeral Home December 28, 2017 from 4-6 PM.