John M Thompson Sr.

Ellaville, GA—Mr. John Maxwell Thompson Sr., 70, of Ellaville died Sunday, January 21, 2018 at his residence. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Williams, Rev. Ray Allen, and Rev. Scott Allen will be officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  A visitation will be held at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home Friday, January 26, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8 PM.

     Mr. Thompson was born February 8, 1947 in Tifton, GA to the late Truman Lynn Thompson Sr. and Lillie Mae Wade Thompson.  He grew up in Georgia, Yulee, FL, and Fernandina Beach, FL.  He joined the US Army in 1965 and was in the 82nd Airborne Division.  He was discharged as Specialist 5th Class.  Mr. Thompson retired from C. J. Bridges Railroad Contractors of Mulberry FL in 2010 and retired to Ellaville, GA.  He loved hunting, fishing, and being a master of building things.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 191 of Ellaville and Ebenezer Baptist Church.

     Survivors include his loving wife, Donna Allen Thompson of Ellaville; one daughter, Dawn Cunningham of Yulee, FL; one son, John Thompson Jr. (Denise) of Lizella, GA; one step daughter, Lisa Peterson of Bartow, FL; three brothers, Derwood Thompson, (Nancy) of Gainesville, FL, William Thompson of Central America, Truman Thompson (Nancy) of Fernandina Beach, FL; three sisters, Ruth Spinks (Allen) of Lakeland, FL, Kathy Berry (John) of Homeland, FL, and Betty Vickers (Jimmy) of Winter Haven, FL.  Also surviving are eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Thompson was precede in death by his sister, Shirley Sowell; brothers, Rodney Thompson Sr., Ronnie Thompson, Donnie Thompson and stepdaughter, Julie Peterson.

       Active pallbearers are Grady Hewitt, Randy Yelverton, Rob Branan, John Thompson Jr., Cory Rosendal, and John Berry.  Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Harper, Brett Yelverton, Blake Yelverton, Matt Folds, Colby Hewitt and Drew Cook.  In Honor of their uncle, Master Sergeant Rodney Thompson and Sergeant 1st Class Dominic Thompson will fold the flag. The Patriot Guard Riders will escort the procession for Mr. Thompson from the funeral home to the church.

      Watson-Giddens Funeral Home of Ellaville, GA is in charge of arrangements.