Obituary of Eugene Thompson

Eugene Thompson, 81, of the Painttown Community, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, January 7, 2016 at his residence. A native of Swain County and longtime resident of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Wilson and Martha Owl Thompson. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by five brothers, Enis Thompson, Adam Thompson, Simon Thompson, Lawrence Thompson, and Wilson (Junior) Thompson. Eugene was a U.S. Army Veteran, a member of the Cherokee United Methodist Church, and also served on Tribal Council, representing the Painttown Community. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Geraldine Thompson; five daughters, Rita Driver and husband Bob, Vickie Thompson, Charlene Otter and husband Sam, Donna Sequoyah and husband James, and Eugenia Guess and husband Sequoyah all of Cherokee; two sons, Eugene Newman Thompson and wife Amy of Rock Hill, SC, and Edward Lawrence Thompson of Cherokee; 10 grandchildren, Amanda, Miranda, Jeremy, Joshua, Stephanie, Brian, Anthony, Cliff, Austin, and Michael; 10 great grandchildren, Asija, Meli, Raelyn, Landon, Grason, Marleigh, Camaron, Ezekiel, Zacheriah, and Logan; one sister, Amanda Thompson of Cherokee; one brother, Ed Thompson of Cherokee and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held 1:00 PM Monday at Rock Springs Baptist Church. Revs. James (Bo) Parris and Greg Morgan will officiate with burial in the Thompson Family Cemetery, with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143, in Cherokee, NC. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 9:00 PM Sunday at Crisp Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be members of Cherokee Tribal EMS, Police Department, and Transit. Honorary Pallbearers will be extended members of the Cherokee Tribal EMS. Eugene will be missed by his family, friends, and Co-workers, and the people he served throughout the Qualla Boundary. In Lieu of Flowers Donations may be made to the Cherokee Cancer Support Group.