Surrounded by loving family, Betty Thompson, 96, our beautiful mother, "grandmama" and great grandmother, crossed over to be with her lord and savior on February 28, 2026.

Betty was born in Tampa and raised in Alachua, Florida with her sister, Barbara, her cousin Jean and parents Bertha and Joseph Trowbridge.
Betty was an "indoor cat" from the very beginning. While her parents were out working, Betty was in charge of everything inside the house including all the cooking, which became her lifelong passion. Her sister, Barbara, was in charge of all "outside activities including killing and cleaning the chickens and gathering vegetables from their garden for delivery to "Chef Betty".

When Betty was a senior in high school, things got interesting when some young men, including future husband Hugh Nelson Thompson, tried to get her phone number while attending a Navy band concert. Unsuccessful in getting her phone number, Hugh somehow found out where she lived and came to her house to introduce himself to her parents and ask her out. Hugh was able to take her on a date, but only if her younger sister Barbara and Cousin Jean went with them to chaperone! The story goes that Barbara, without a drivers license, drove Betty
and Hugh around on their first date. The rest was history and they married on June 16th, 1948.

They moved in to the Flavet Veterans Barracks in Gainesville, FL while Hugh finished his bachelors degree. They eventually welcomed four children into their lives: Nelson, Susie, Michael and Mark. Their life required flexibility while Hugh's work took them to Memphis (3xs), Jackson, Columbia, Mobile, Virginia, Ohio, Huntsville (2x) and Thomaston just to name a few!

An amazing woman of strength and faith, Betty showed those fortunate enough to know her how to love EVERYONE unconditionally, without exception. If you were lucky enough to be in her kitchen, which most of our kids were, she would show you EXACTLY how to make the
most incredible meals and serve them with an elegant flare worthy of Martha Stewart's approval and her massive cookbook collection is worthy of Smithsonian induction. Many hours were spent analyzing and planning meals causing her family to create "The 2 PM Rule": No discussion about dinner until 2 PM!

There was no place Betty would rather be than surrounded by her friends, family and, of course, good food. She filled the room with her easy smile and contagious laughter. She shared her gifts generously with her church in varying roles such as the official Church Hostess of Idlewild
Presbyterian Church in Memphis and First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville. She was also the president of the Woman's Exchange of Memphis.

Those forever changed by her life, love and legacy include her beloved children: Nelson Thompson (Nancy), Susie Thompson Hoffmeyer, (George) and Mark Thompson (Edie), grandchildren Julie Hoffmeyer Rocket (John), Ben Hoffmeyer (Cris), Lindsay Hoffmeyer Taylor (Jason), Hugh Nelson Thompson, Toby Thompson (Brittany) and Taylor Thompson, Alexandra Thompson Tosh (Destry), Emily Thompson, Olivia Thompson and eight beautiful great-grandchildren.

Those welcoming her on the other side include her husband of 60 years, Hugh, her son, Michael, along with many others. We offer a special thanks to her loving and patient care givers: Gina, Carol, Tonya, and Sabrina who provided her with loving care and community over the past year.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 7th from 3:00 - 4:00 PM in Berryhill Funeral Home. The service will follow at 4:00 and final resting place, in her family plot, at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville, Holmes Street Methodist Church of Huntsville or a charity of your choice.