Naomi Thompson Obituary

Story of Naomi Thompson's Life

Daisy Naomi Ruth Ridgeway Thompson was born in Sugar Hill, Georgia on October 25, 1934 to Reverend Noah & Willa Ridgeway. She was the youngest daughter and was preceded in death by her siblings Glyndon (Rose) Ridgeway and Roy (Vivian) Ridgeway. She is survived by her sister, Evelyn (the late Charles) Dooley.

Naomi was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, John P. Thompson, Jr. She is survived by her children Cyril (Sharon) Thompson, Charissa (David) Smith, Cheryl (the late Ed) McGee, and Craig (Deana) Thompson; by her 10 grandchildren; by her 8 great-grandchildren; and by the many friends and extended family members who loved her deeply.

Raised in a pastor's home, Naomi developed a deep lifelong faith and love for God, which began at the age of 5 when she accepted the Lord and was water baptized. She took great joy in accompanying her father, Rev. N.C. Ridgeway, on pastoral calls and visitations to the sick. From an early age, she learned to play the piano for the church services, as a result of her dad offering to give her money (which was scarce) if she would learn to play. She could play by note and by ear; and she also knew how to play the organ and the bass fiddle. She would play for anyone who wanted to sing a solo and always managed to accompany even the most obscure songs heard on AM radio that some of the singers would attempt.

Naomi volunteered as a weekly Bible teacher at South Rossville Elementary School for over 10 years. She would use flannelgraph to tell the stories of the Bible-like David & Goliath, Joseph's coat of many colors, and the birth of Jesus. She would tell each story 30 times per week to the different students in grades K-6. She was very anointed in her story telling and could keep all ages engaged in the story. Decades later, Naomi would see former students in town, and they would comment how they still remembered her teaching them the Word of God. Mom and Dad faithfully taught us the Word of God from our earliest memories, even bribing us

with ice cream to memorize passages of Scripture. They read the One Year Bible through about 15 times together and made it their habit to do their daily Bible reading before going to bed. Every night they led us in family devotions. For many years, she and Dad hosted a prayer meeting each week in their home, always having time to pray with anyone who asked. They took us to church every time the doors were opened. Mom poured herself into their lifetime purpose, which was part of Dad's marriage proposal to her: "Let's get married and raise children unto the Lord." They achieved that goal, with all the children and even the grandchildren and great-grandchildren loving God and being devout Christians.

At church, Mom actively used her teaching gift with the older women's Bible Study, the adult Sunday School, and in the children's program. She would lead the children's choir and their Christmas musicals. For several years our family conducted Kid's Crusades (VBS) with puppets, Bible stories, and fun. Mom saw how much the large head puppets cost and decided she could make them herself. She made a pattern and created several large head puppets for us to use with the Kid's Crusades. Those puppets have traveled the world and are still actively in use to this day.

Mom's love language was serving others, and her gift was hospitality. Dad and Mom's home was always open to friends and family. You could drop by any time and ask for prayer or enjoy a delicious piece of cake and something to drink. Mom fed thousands of people throughout her lifetime. She was an excellent Southern cook who could seemingly whip up a meal out of the air on a moment's notice. People who visited hardly ever left without taking a plate of food home with them. Even into their late 80s, Dad and Mom would host their Sunday School class for a shared dish dinner and gathering. They would get together for food, prayer, playing games, and singing hymns. And when people weren't over, Mom was dedicated to sending cards to everyone in the family: birthday cards, thank you cards, encouragement cards, and "praying for you" cards. She had a calendar with everyone's birthday and the dates of significant family events.

Mom and Dad grew a garden for years, and Mother would faithfully can or freeze every vegetable that Dad grew. She would daily be out in the garden with him picking the beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, or corn. Her delicious cream corn was unsurpassed, as was her sour cream pound cake and homemade vegetable soup. The grandchildren always enjoyed mac and cheese every time they came for a birthday or for a family gathering. In later years, Mom ground her own wheat to make homemade bread, as well as learned to cook healthier using honey instead of sugar.

Mom faithfully raised four children in a 10x40 trailer with no air conditioner and little heat in the North Georgia summers and winters. It was a feat of devotion and love. She would stretch her limited budget by clipping coupons and mastering the art of getting coupons doubled, which allowed us to have groceries beyond our means. She would buy cloth from the local "5 & dime" store and make our Easter dresses each year. She was an excellent seamstress, but she would still say, "If anyone looks too close at the top stitching, poke them in the eye." Mom always made our childhood fun and exciting, even though our finances were limited. She would make play dough out of flour or create homemade finger puppets. Even trips to the creek to feed the fish were highlighted by her pointing out some tiny flower that many people would overlook.

Dad preferred Mom didn't work outside the home while we were in school, but after we were all grown, Mom worked in Cheryl's flower shop in Trenton for many years. She did bookkeeping and made deliveries. She loved being able to go to work, talk with people, and deliver their flowers. The family appreciates Cheryl allowing both parents to help her in her shop. It gave them a sense of worth and provided Mom with extra spending money.

We are especially grateful to all her loving caregivers: Anna and Will, Gail, Fran, Linda, Donna, Ashley, and Jonnie whose devoted service allowed her request to stay in her own home until she went to heaven to be fulfilled.

Naomi mentored many, many people who considered her their spiritual mom. She was a loving mom and grandmother. Her legacy of faith in God will continue in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

We love you, Mom, and we know that you are once again with Dad–in heaven with your Savior!

The family will receive friends from 4:00–8:00 PM on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Lane Funeral Home and Crematory South Crest Chapel.

A service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, March 16, 2026, in the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared with the Thompson family and a live webcast of the service can be viewed at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.

All arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home and Crematory South Crest Chapel, Rossville, Georgia.