Viola Thompson

Viola Harriett Thompson, 93, formerly of Battle Creek, died May 18, 2017 at Erwin Health Care Center, Erwin, Tennessee.  Viola was born in Comstock, Michigan to Charles and Augusta (Harrington) Watts in January 1924.  Viola graduated from Comstock High School in 1942.  She received her State Limited Teaching Certificate from Western Michigan University in 1945.  She worked in the business world until her marriage.  Viola married Lynn Thompson in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1951.  They lived in Battle Creek, Michigan from 1954 until 2011.  Viola had a very special life.  She supported herself and graduated from college at a time when many people did not graduate from high school.  She was a great mother.  Viola also gave to the community.  She was a Sunday School teacher, PTA volunteer, Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girl leader, and a volunteer for the Charitable Union.  Viola and Lynn raised funds and helped start a volunteer ambulance service, the Bedford Rescue Squad, in the 1960’s.    After her daughters were grown, Viola worked as a school lunch aide and at a nursery school.  She and Lynn also travelled the world and visited all 50 states.   After 63 years of marriage, Lynn preceded Viola in death.  She is survived by her daughters; Kay (DeWayne) Bentley of Afton, TN, Linda Bateman (Jim Stephens) of Elkhart, IN, and Christy Thompson (Dan Donley) of Sula, MT; grandchildren, Matthew (Melissa) Doxey, Marcus (Corrine) Doxey, Heather Bateman, Paul Bateman, Suzanne Bentley, and Rebecca Davis; and 11 great-grandchildren.   Viola was a warm, giving, and loving, mother, grandmother, neighbor, and friend.  Many people who were not biologically related considered her family and called her Mom.   A graveside service will be held on June 14, 2017 at 1:30 PM at Fort Custer National Cemetery.  Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. www.henryfuneralhome.org