Jewell L. Thompson

Jewell Lydia Thompson, 103, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, passed on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 in Fruitland Park, Florida after a short illness. Jewell was born on July 30, 1921 in St. Louis, Missouri to Eugene and Lydia (Compton) Deditius. She spent her childhood in South St. Louis with her mother and siblings, John and Daisy. Jewell attended Hadley Technical School and began working at age 15 to help support the family after her father passed. Jewell attended night school classes into her late 40’s, completing her GED and taking some college-level classes, while working full time and raising her family. Jewell began working for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (now AT&T) during World War II after her marriage to Harley W. Thompson in 1939. She started as a secretary and eventually progressed into an Executive Assistant and supervisory role in management training for the company. Jewell was recognized for her perfect attendance record upon her retirement from SW Bell in 1977. She moved with Harley to Fruitland Park after retirement, enjoying trips around the country in their travel trailer, square dancing with friends around the State of Florida, and admiring the wildlife that visited their home on Lake Griffin. Jewell was an endlessly loving, compassionate, and giving soul throughout her life. She volunteered over 15,000 hours at the Leesburg Regional Medical Center and was recognized as Central Florida’s Volunteer of the Year in 2008 when she stepped away from daily service. She continued to contribute afterwards, well into her late 90’s, by knitting baby stocking hats and donating them to the newborn clinic at the hospital, mending clothing for family and anyone in the neighborhood who would ask, and producing beautiful handmade quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Jewell was preceded in death (2003) by the love of her life and husband for 63 years, Harley W. Thompson. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law – James and Louise Thompson of St. Louis, Missouri, Gerald and Pamela Thompson of Kissimmee, Florida, and David Thompson and Nancy Hathaway of West Lafayette, Indiana. Her grandchildren include Shannon Freise, Kelly Schroeder, Christopher Thompson, Melissa Frana, and Vanessa Pai-Thompson. Jewell also enjoyed time with her nine great grandchildren – Max Freise, Jacob Freise, Laura Schroeder, Joshua Thompson, Will Schroeder, Rachel Thompson, Corinne Schroeder, Hope Frana, and Jacob Frana. Visitations will be held at Beyers Funeral Home in Leesburg, Florida at 11am on December 27, 2024 and at the South County Chapel of John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Home in St. Louis, Missouri on January 5, 2025 before her interment alongside her husband at Jefferson Barracks VA National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the Fruitland Park Library, 604 W. Berckman, Fruitland Park, FL, 34731. The family of Jewell Thompson would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Compassionate Care for the care and attention given to their loved one. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.

Jewell L. Thompson

July 30, 1921 - December 18, 2024