Ella Marie Thompson

Ella Marie (Johnson) Thompson, age 81, passed away peacefully following a long battle with Alzheimer’s at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. She was treated with respect and dignity by her many nurses and aides past and present, which was much appreciated by the family.

She was born April 18, 1935, in Ellington, MO to Elbert and Madge (Yates) Johnson. On May 2, 1953 ,she married the love of her life, Marvin Wayne Thompson, who together spent most of their married life managing their business Thompson Heating & Air in Poplar Bluff, MO. until Mr. Thompson’s retirement in 1992. Marie then continued to live in Poplar Bluff after Mr. Thompson’s untimely death in 1992 until her health declined. Marvin and Marie loved to square dance, camp with family, craft and dearly loved their grandchildren and family. She was a former member of Little Brushy Baptist Church of Wappapello, MO.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one grandson Jimmy Lanier, one sister Melvagene (Johnson) Foster, two brothers Dennis and Donald Johnson, one sister- in- law Dorothy (Don) Johnson, two nieces, Danielle Johnson and Amy Biggs, one nephew Gregg Johnson.

Survivors include two daughters: Sherry (Craig) Welker of Sikeston, MO. and Sandy (Jim) Mattox of Little Rock, Ar.; one sister Judy (Ron) Britt of Mt. Juliet, TN., one brother Kenneth (Rosemary) Johnson of Paragould, AR., four grandchildren Cory (Ann) Welker of Dardenne Prairie, Mo., Kasey (Brett) Kolasch, St. Charles, MO., Delaney and Andy Mattox of Little Rock, AR.; a brother in law, Lamayone Foster of Mayflower, Ark.; and two great-grandchildren, Chase and Grant Welker of Dardenne Prairie, MO.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. Mom also leaves behind a life long friend Lucille “Lucy” Grimaldi from California, who kept up with Mom even when she could no longer communicate.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday in the chapel with Rev. Fred Holst officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.