Della M. Thompson

Della M. Thompson was born March 23, 1906 in Searcy County, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Isaac N. Keeling and Nancy Bagley Keeling. Della was raised in the Searcy County area and attended school there.

She was married to Roy Thompson on March 2, 1924 and the couple established their initial home in Searcy County. They had three children while residing in Arkansas, Berniece, Kermit and Lorene. They moved to Cleveland in 1928 where Robert was born. In 1934, they moved back to Arkansas where Anna LaFern was born and made their final move back to Cleveland in 1935.

Della was one of the first Avon representatives in the Cleveland area, selling products for nearly thirty years by going door to door throughout the area. She additionally owned and operated a hobby shop at 706 West Delaware, for nearly twenty years. She sold all types of hand made crafts that she spent countless hours making, including crocheted items, ceramics and other items.

At the time of her death, Della had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland longer than any other member. She initially joined the church through baptism in 1929 and was an active participant in Sunday School and assisted in the nursery and youth departments for many years.

Della was preceded in death by her husband, Roy on February 6, 1981 after nearly fifty-seven years of marriage. In addition to her husband, Della was preceded in death by a daughter, Berniece Bradshaw; a grandson, Kenny Allen; five brothers, Riley, Ivy, Roy, Troy and Harley; and two sisters, Gertrude and Mary. Della enjoyed spending time with her family and especially loved her grandchildren. She was often found serving lunch during school days to her grandchildren and their friends. Additionally, she was most always found with some type of craft project in her hands when friends or family came by to visit.

Della passed away Monday, November 5, 2001 at the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home at the age of ninety-five years, seven months and twelve days. She is survived by two sons, Kermit Thompson, Westland, Michigan; Robert L. Thompson, Cleveland, Oklahoma; two daughters, Lorene Allen, Cleveland, Oklahoma; Anna LaFern Brown, Cleveland, Oklahoma; eighteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, November 8, 2001 at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland with Dr. Larry Wilson and Rev. George Boston officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Della Thompson at www.chapman-black.com.''