Community celebrates life of beloved family member

Jessie Thompson was born in Yell County Arkansas on the cold day of January 20, 1914. She passed away March 14 at 106-years-old. Typically, when a loved one passes away, the family mourns and grieves. However, in correlation with her vibrant spirit and life, her family chose to celebrate her life.

Thompson’s great granddaughter Jennifer Laird requested for anybody who was touched by Thompson’s spirit in any way to voice their emotions. Laird said the response was overwhelming.

“I was surprised that so many people responded, but I’m not surprised at how many kind things they had to say about her,” Jennifer Laird said. “I don’t think she was ever anything but kind to anyone.”

“Granny was the true meaning of the word Granny,” Clemon Page said. “She set in motion in me at an early age of what hard work meant. She was forgiving, compassionate, and loved the Lord every day of her life. The best way I can describe what she means to our family is: she is the stitching in the quilt that holds us together.”

“Even though she couldn’t hear me, she would still listen intently to everything I had to say,” commented Mia Laird

“Granny taught me that growing old is a treasure and a privilege denied to many,” Jennifer Laird said. “I can’t really think about her without thinking about grit, grace, and gratitude. I guess it’s fitting that she was a “G”. She never told me a story about her life that didn’t have some sort of hardship, but she never dwelled on those, they were merely fact and part of the story. She reminded me that life isn’t always easy, but by the grace of God, we endure. She was thankful for all it. She would tell me that you can’t have a peak without valleys. She wasn’t drawn to the ways of the world, but the ways of Jesus. I can still hear her say, “I love you. I am proud of you. God bless you”. She was a servant.”

“I loved all your pecan pies,” Nora Laird said. “I am sad that you are gone, but it is good that you are in heaven with God and your family.”

“Granny was always smiling,” said Kenzie Avery. “She was always sharing her love and her love for the Lord. She never missed sending me or anyone else in our family a birthday card. Granny reminds me of how important the little things are. I remember going through some very tough times throughout my life. I’d always think about how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. Granny is the queen of our family. There are many times I ask myself, ‘What would Granny do?’”

“Granny was something special,” said Kaylee Aker. “When people say, “They don’t make them like they used too”, I always thought about Granny. Whenever I’d talk to people about Granny, they would always tell me how lucky I was to have her in my life. But they were wrong, I wasn’t lucky, I was blessed.”

“Granny always had a smile on her face and the best hugs for my family,” said Scott and Tonya Page. “Even though we were far away, we always felt close when we would get her birthday cards. Her timing was uncanny as it was always written with a note of how much she missed us. When we could make it home, she loved to sit down and see pictures of the girls while the girls had some of her famous pecan pie! The quilts she made each of us, are something that will always remind us of her love for her family.”

“Granny was the best,” noted Blake Page. “She never forgot something and she would make pecan pie. The pecan pie was as sweet as her! I love her so much.”

“Granny was an angel on Earth,” said Kirby Page. “She was so special to many people including me. She cared about everyone and loved them so much. When you went to see her, you would never leave empty handed, either a piece of chocolate or a pecan pie!”

“I felt so glad that I was included in Granny’s family even if as an in-law,” added Lynda Laird. “We had many wonderful talks by writing. I always got a birthday card, a kiss on the cheek and a great greeting. She was so easily the best lady to all she met. My sister Sharon loved her too.”

“Granny taught me lots of things from how to fish and hunt, to always treating others with respect,” said Bruce Page. “But the most important was always to trust the Lord!”

“Granny was such an inspiration to me,” noted Peggy Page. “She talked to me about how our lives had mountains and valleys and that we had to cherish the good things when we are on top of the mountain and to persevere when we are in the valleys. I also never went to Granny’s house without leaving with something. She wanted to share with you, a kiss and a hug and an “I love you more”. She was a giver.”

“Our precious Granny… what an inspiration she has been to so many people,” added Kim Aker. “She never complained about anything. Her unbelievable faith and her light could change your day in a second! I know she will be guiding and watching over each one us forever until we meet again. Thank you, Granny for loving all of us unconditionally.”

“Granny always made me smile,” said Jessie Aker. “No matter what was going on, she always had a smile on her face. She always lit up the room with her appearance. People are constantly telling me how blessed I am to be able to have a Granny like her and I was. I was truly blessed. Tytus loved his Granny. He adored her and always looked forward to seeing her. We will forever miss and love you Granny!”

“Granny was love,” Patrick Laird said.

“Granny taught me that truth and grace go hand in hand,” recalled Jannah Reid. “She never hesitated to share the true meaning of being a Christian woman but showed love with every action she took. Of course, I’m biased to her, but she was unforgettable to everyone she met.”

“She accepted me for who I am, even with my long hair,” Brody Laird said.

“Granny taught me so many life lessons,” LaJeanne Reid said. “How to worship the Lord always, to appreciate everyone and love family to the fullest, have a smile and laugh every day, always stay positive, always stand up for what you know is right, to trust the Lord in all things, to have courage to share your faith, to check in on others, to never meet a stranger, to not fear things you can’t control, to work hard and appreciate the reward of your labor, to realize age is just a number, that exercise is just as important as eating a hearty healthy meal, to trust your intuition, that hugs are like a dose of medicine, endurance prevails, and to never give up! Her last words to me were, “I’m a little better”, what an inspiration at 106!!!”