Verna Rose Thompson

Rose Thompson, 97, of Pensacola passed away peacefully on March 15, 2021. She was born in Haviland, Kansas on August 24, 1923 to Elma Garner Fell and George Fell. She is survived by her daughter, Denise McLeod; granddaughter, Kylie B. McLeod; special pets, Daisy and Penny; two sister-in-laws, Brenda Johnson (Lubbock, TX)and Kay Fell (Hurst, TX); and a host of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest W. “Tommy” Thompson; her parents; son-in-law, Danny McLeod; five sisters, Veda Adams, Reita Walsh, Cora George, Angie Hasty and Ethel Ensley; four brothers, Verl Fell, Orin “Corky” Fell, Ernest “Ernie” Fell, and Roy Fell; five sister-in-laws, Betty Thompson, Kathryn Nugent, June Chuites, Florence Fell, and Sally Fell; and eight brother-in-laws, Fred Hasty, Barney Ensley, Richard Walsh, Ted George, Horace Chuites, Billy Thompson, Bill Nugent, Jimmy Thompson, and Vernon Thompson. After moving to west Texas at the age of five, Rose lived most of her younger years in the oil field town of Texon and later in San Angelo. She graduated from Reagan County High School where she excelled academically and was captain of the women’s volleyball team. After being accepted to nursing school and moving to San Angelo during the height of WWII, she decided instead to join the civil service. She worked at the San Angelo Army Air Field where she met and married her husband, Wilmer “Tommy” Thompson on May 1, 1943. They moved to Pensacola, Tommy’s home, in late 1945. In her lifetime, Rose spent countless hours doing volunteer work. She held many offices in the PTA, spearheaded numerous school and band booster club fundraising events, all while finding time to polish her artistic skills and sew. She volunteered at the Juvenile Justice Center (Division of Youth Services) and called that a “learning experience.” Rose was a longtime active member of Brownsville Baptist Church (now New Beginnings Baptist Church) where she belonged to the Christian Workers Sunday School class. She spent much of her time working in various capacities for her church over the years. For a number of years, you would find Rose every Thursday morning operating the church outreach clothing ministry, or as she called it, “the Clothes Closet.” She also served thirteen years as Chairperson of the church family services committee and was secretary of the Martha Sunday School class. When Brownsville Baptist Church transitioned into New Beginnings Baptist Church, she continued as a faithful member and servant. Rose was an active member of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) where she served as president, the Brownsville Revitalization Committee (serving as secretary), and her Neighborhood Watch organization. It was not unusual to find Rose speaking in front of the Board of County Commissioners or meeting with Code Enforcement officials, all in an effort to improve our community. In her eighties, she was honored by the Pensacola Civitan Club as an “Outstanding Citizen” in recognition of her significant contributions to the City of Pensacola and Escambia County. Rose gave up her officer positions with these organizations when her son-in-law was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), making the decision to live with her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter to assist with whatever was needed during Danny’s illness. Rose relished the friends she made through her volunteer experiences as they shared their common interests. She will be missed. “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1Timothy 6:18 The family would like to extend our appreciation and special thanks to the kind and caring Dr. F. James Fleischhauer of Cardiology Consultants. We would also like to thank the compassionate nurses at Baptist Hospital (Four East) who cared for her lovingly during her time in the hospital as she recovered from the coronavirus. We are also grateful for her many dear friends who called, texted, and emailed to check on her over the past weeks. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM, Monday, March 22, 2021, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, with the Rev. John Pavlus officiating. Family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until time of service. Burial will follow at Bayview Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to New Beginnings Baptist Church, 808 N New Warrington Road, Pensacola, FL 32506. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Verna Rose Thompson

August 24, 1923 - March 15, 2021