Alta Faye Thompson

Alta Faye Thompson, 95, was born on November 23, 1910, in Bronaugh, Mo., the day after a train ride from Oklahoma, where her parents had gone by covered wagon in 1904 to homestead near the Anadarko area.

She was the daughter of Chauncey Lee and Nellie Pearl Feller Thompson. Alta's father died when she was 12 years old and her mother worked courageously to raise the seven children.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Morris Benjamin Bunton, and her siblings, Juanita Bea Day (Lawrence), Lee Earl Shearburn (Melvin), Erma Mildred Shearburn (Mark), Nelma Alene Ripley (Clinton), Darrell Leroy Thompson, Eileen Thompson (Donald) and daughter-in-law June Heath Bunton. Surviving are her brother. Donald Morris Thompson of Nevada, Mo., and sister-in-law, Virgie Thompson (Darrell) of Bronaugh, Mo.

Surviving are her children Keith Leon Bunton (Paddy) of Keystone Heights, Fla., and Lois Faye Bunton Richardson (Don) of Waynesville, N.C. Also surviving from Keith's family are Melinda Irene Bunton Akins (Wayne) and her daughter Leigh Anne Wright of Statesboro, Ga., and Christopher Leon Bunton (Debbie) of Jacksonville, Fla. Surviving from Lois's family are David Thomas Richardson (Becky) of Rosman, N.C.; Gerald Allan Richardson (Doris), Sarah Grace Richardson of Magnolia, Texas; and stepson Brian Alan Johnson (Emily) of Jacksonville, Fla.; Greg Howard Richardson (Tamara) and daughters Julia Kirsten and Emily Louise of Oxford, Ga.; Timothy Duane Richardson (Adele) and children: Russell Thomas Richardson II, Charlotte Adele, Evelyn Avie, and Amelia Grace of Maryville, Tenn.; Donna Faye Richardson Martinez (Sonny), and children Cameron Austin, Jacob Patrick, and Amanda Faye Martinez of Roswell, Ga. Many loving nieces and nephews also survive her.

Alta's family settled in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1938, living for a few years on the west side before moving to Arlington. She was a member of the Arlington First Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher and Training Union leader for many years. In the late '60s, they moved to Eagle Lake, Fla., where her husband owned and operated an orange grove and later a solar business until shortly before his death in 1991. They were both active in the Eagle Lake First Baptist Church. In 1999, she moved to Keystone Heights, Fla., where she lived independently. She passed away in her son's home under hospice care on June 30.

She was a loving, caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was always willing to help when needed. She will be greatly missed.

Family visitation will be held at Jones Funeral Home in Keystone Heights on Friday, July 7, from 6 until 8 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Riverside Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, on Saturday, July 8, at 11 a.m.

Arrangements are under the care of Jones Funeral Home, Keystone Heights, (352) 473-3176.