Delsie Marie Parnell Thompson, 91, of Christiansburg, VA passed away at home with family by her side on Thursday, May 18, 2023. She was born in Hemphill, WV on March 30, 1932. She was a daughter of the late Gordon and Ethel Parnell. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Melvin E. "Gene" Thompson; eight brothers, Lawrence, Arthur, Everett, Bill, Bob, B.J., Leonard, and Arnold Parnell; one sister, Betty Looney; and a very special daughter-in-law, Ruthie Thompson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her brother, Hobert (Mary) Parnell of Bastian, VA; her daughter, Sandi Jones of Christiansburg, VA; her three sons, Don (Pam) Thompson of Thomasville, NC, Jerry (Michelle) Thompson of Coalwood, WV, and Bob Thompson of Winston-Salem, NC; her grandchildren, April (Scott) Eads, Tommy Jones, Jerry (Renae) Thompson, Jr., Misty (Raleigh) Heekin, Jake (Anna) Thompson, and Seth Thompson; her great-grandchildren, Kayla Eads, Tyler Eads, Tanner Heekin, Skylin Heekin, Cadence Heekin, Liam Heekin, Caitlan Thompson, and Emma Thompson; and one great-great-grandson, "her little buddy" Keoni Eads.
When Delsie was 14 years old, her family moved to Bastian, VA. Before she got married, she worked at the Tultex Sewing Factory. She moved to Coalwood, WV with her husband Gene in 1953 where she lived until 2017. She worked as a substitute cook at the Headstart and JR High School. She also worked in customer service at the Olga Coal Company Store. She belonged to the Olga Women's Club. She was a member of the Coalwood United Methodist Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir and working with the Ladies' Auxiliary. She enjoyed embroidery, playing cards, going out to eat, listening to music, working word search books, and spending time with her family.
The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of Good Samaritan Hospice for assisting the family in the home where she resided with her daughter Sandi for the last five years.
Memorial Services will be private.