Margaret Jean Thompson

Margaret Jean Jarmon Thompson was born July 27, 1929.  Her parents, the late Ira and Lula Mae Jarmon, welcomed Margaret as the 9th child of 13 children born in Leighton, Alabama.  Margaret departed this life peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 1, 2022.

Margaret confessed Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Leighton, AL.  As an adult she joined Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, MI, where she remained a member in good standing for over 60 years.  Margaret was united in holy matrimony to the late Howard E. Thompson in 1954.  They were blessed to share over 60 years of their lives together. To this union three children were born, Anita, Kevin, and Laverne.

Margaret devoted herself to her family and supported her husband and children with all their endeavors.  Education was a priority, and she made sure all her kids graduated college with skills necessary to navigate the world.  She cooked a dynamite pound cake that was famous and made some of the best homemade “Parker House” style rolls.  She opened her home to so many and kept in touch via phone with friends over many, many years. If you were her friend, you had a friend for life. Without fanfare, she quietly and methodically touched the lives of people too numerous to list with her genuine acts of kindness and support. Her favorite travel excursions involved going back to Alabama for the biennial Leighton Training School Reunion.  She was a proud member of the class of 1948 and looked forward to the reunion banquets and picnic. During these times, the merriment continued as the Jarmon family would always gather for a good old fashioned “catfish fry.” Margaret’s gifts of love, support, fellowship, and outreach will be sorely missed.

In addition to her parents and Howard, Margaret was preceded in death by seven brothers, Albert, Willie, Ira,Jr, Levert, Alex, Harold, and Elsworth and three sisters, Fannie, Pearline and Edna.

Margaret leaves to cherish her memories, devoted children Anita (Prentiss) Taylor, Kevin and Laverne Thompson; one beloved grandson, Trenton; two sisters, Nazerine Cobb of Leighton, AL and Naomi Jarmon of Sheffield, AL; sister-in-law, Marguerita Thompson, Elk Grove, CA; her bonus “daughters” Denise Jones, Charlyne Bass, and Charlotte Bradley, and a host of relatives and friends.

Special thanks to our terrific care team, Debra Jiles, Judy Jiles and cousin Eric Hawkins whose kindness and assistance allowed Mom to live in her own home till the end. Their care and devotion was unheralded. We love you all.