Virgie Thompson

Virgie Thompson, 91, Bronaugh, Mo., beloved by all, passed away Friday evening, June 11, 2010, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center, Nevada, having suffered a stroke a few days earlier. She had been in declining health for the past three and one-half years. Virgie Marie Selim was born July 8, 1918, at the Moundville area home of her parents, Edward Amos Selim and Elsie Virgie Caton Selim. She was the great-great-granddaughter of Vernon County early pioneer settlers Noah and Frances (McDermid) Caton. On June 27, 1937, she was married to Darrel LeeRoy Thompson in Sheldon, Mo. He preceded her in death Aug. 15, 1979.

Virgie attended Ragtown, a one-room country school, and at the age of 17 graduated valedictorian of her class from Bronaugh High School in 1935. Having received a full scholarship, she attended Southwest Missouri State College from 1936 to 1937, and worked part-time in the college president's office. Her life touched many children and she was a positive influence in their lives. She worked as a substitute teacher in the Bronaugh, Sheldon, Walker, and Liberal area schools from 1934 until 1949. From 1980 until her retirement in 2008 she was a special education aide at the Bronaugh school. She was active in the Bronaugh PTA and High School Boosters Club for many years, serving as various officers. Virgie was also active on the Bronaugh Fall Festival committee for many years. She was a dedicated member of the Bronaugh Christian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher for 40 years and worked in the vacation bible school for 50 years. She served as a 4-H leader for 25 years, a member of the Good Cheer Extension Club for 20 years, and for 50 years a member of the community NIP (Nothing In Particular) Club. From 1980 until 2000, Virgie handled World Book Encyclopedia and Avon sales in the area. She loved to garden and always canned fresh vegetables each season. She was locally famous for her many delicious pies and cakes.

Survivors include four sons and their families: Ronald Thompson, and his wife Kay, Bronaugh, Mo., JaWan Thompson and his wife Nancy, Moundville, Mo., Brent Thompson and his wife Cindi, Liberal, Mo., and Kent Thompson and his wife Boni, Moundville, Mo.; grandchildren and stepgrandchildren include: Natalie Anderson, Brentwood, Calif., Rodney Thompson, Oakland, Calif., Jeff Thompson, Dublin, Calif., Eric Thompson, Springfield, Mo., Karinda Booe, Springfield, Mo., Jaleana Thompson, Hume, Mo., John Laffoon, Aldie, Va., Richard Laffoon, Orange Park, Fla., Jay Walker, Miami, Okla., Jennifer Page, Carl Junction, Mo., Aaron Thompson, Garland, Kan., Melisha Meredith, Columbia, S.C., Jason Thompson, Olathe, Kan., Chauncy Thompson, Moundville, Mo., and Mike Thompson, also of Moundville; 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson; several cousins, including Elmer Selim, Springfield, Mo., and Bob Garton, Moundville. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 16, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with pastor Justin Avery officiating. Interment will follow in Worsley Cemetery, Bronaugh, Mo.

Friends may call until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today between 6 and 8 p.m.

Contributions may be made, in her memory, to the Bronaugh High School Virgie Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada, MO 64772.

View obituary and send condolences on-line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.