Velma Lea Thompson, of Dixon, was born on November 11, 1931, in Pulaski County, a daughter of George Adam and Velma Tine (Young) Fritchey, and departed this life at 3:30 a.m., on Friday, December 2, 2016, in the SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, Jefferson City. Mrs. Thompson had attained the age of 85 years, and 21 days.

Mrs. Thompson was united in marriage on September 18, 1948, at Vienna, to Virgil Wesley Thompson, and to this union, four children were born. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil, on December 15, 1987, as well as one daughter, Denise Kay Humphrey, on October 11, 2011; one son and daughter-in-law, Wesley Eugene and Betty Thompson, on July 27, 2015; one son-in-law, Kenny Acord; four grandchildren, Steffan Eugene Adkins on December 30, 1969, Warren Daniel Adkins on February 15, 1971, Chastity Rae Adkins on June 1, 1975, and Adam Colle Thompson on September 6, 1984; her father, George, on May 25, 1978; her mother, Velma, on September 23, 1980; five brothers, James Edward " Ed" Fritchey, Herbert Eugene "Gene" Fritchey, Taylor Earl Fritchey on May 25, 1993, Harold Wayne Fritchey, and an infant, Homer Ray Fritchey, in September of 1922; and one sister, Ethel Lorene Thompson.

Mrs. Thompson had accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior and had followed Him in baptism early in life. She was currently a member of the First Assembly of God Church, Dixon, where she had worked in the church day care program for three years. Also, during her working life, Mrs. Thompson had been employed as a sewing machine operator for the Ottenheimer Company, Meta, beginning in 1978 until December of 1987; the Garment Company, Iberia, for five years; and the Langenberg Hat Company, Vienna, for five years. She was also a devoted housewife, a loving homemaker, and a diligent person in providing for the needs of her family. Velma may have retired, but not really, since she continued being active as long as possible with her pie baking, embroidering, quilting, and family activities.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Thompson include: One son, Virgil Stephen "Steve" and wife, Helen, of Jefferson City; one daughter, Cathy Acord, of Dixon; seven grandchildren, Tanya, Melissa, Joshua, Amanda, Andrea, Katie, and Andy; six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Savannah, Owen, Peyton, Elizabeth, and Liddy; one sister, Betty Lou Davis, of Rolla; two brothers, George Adam Fritchey, Jr. and Donald Fritchey, both of Dixon; nephews; nieces; and other relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the First Assembly of God Church, Dixon.