Charles Jefferson "Jeff" Thompson

Salisbury, NC – Charles Jefferson “Jeff” Thompson died on April 16, 2023 in Midlothian, VA. Born in Salisbury, NC on March 22, 1935, he was the son of the late Paul Jefferson Thompson and Laura Mae Gilliam Thompson. He was a 1953 graduate of Boyden High School, attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Josephus Daniel Scholar and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Post graduate studies were pursued in France where, as a Fulbright Scholar, he studied during the 1957-58 academic year at the Universite d'Aix Marseille. He later earned a Master of Arts Degree in Education at George Washington University in Washington, DC. His military service was with the US Army (1958-1960) where he was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington, DC; he was later recalled for reserve service in the 223rd Military Intelligence Unit in Arlington, VA. He and his wife, Mary Jane Smiley Thompson, were married in 1958, and following his military service in Washington remained in the Washington/Maryland area where they established a life for themselves and their three children. He pursued his career as an educator with the Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland where he served as a classroom teacher, a Resource Teacher, a Vice Principal, a Principal, and an Area Resource Specialist. He was always interested in learning about and experiencing different cultures; during those years, he enjoyed their travels to Ireland, Bermuda, and most European countries. He and his wife retired together in 1996, and moved back to Salisbury, their hometown. He enjoyed their continued travelling with cruises to most of the Caribbean ports-of-call and Alaska. Highlights for him during these years was attending life events of the grandchildren, holiday gatherings with the family, and summer vacations with their entire family at North Myrtle Beach, SC. Aside from spending time with his family and travelling, Jeff enjoyed working in the yard, researching genealogy, and providing community service at Rowan Helping Ministries. He was of the Methodist faith and served on a number of church commissions among which through the years were Administrative Boards, Missions, Staff Parish, and Finance. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Jane of almost 65 years of marriage; daughter, Elisabeth Billig (Paul); sons Barrett (Sharon) and Paul David (Jennifer); grandchildren: Dr. Kelly Billig, MD, Dr. Janelle Billig, MD, Matthew Billig, Kent Thompson, Jenna Thompson, Aaron Thompson, William Thompson, Sarah Thompson, Katherine Thompson, Lauren Taylor; great-grandchildren: Rebecca Figura, Sawyer Billig, Nicholas Figura, Colton Billig; sister, Judy T. Monroe; nephew, Blair Cooper,: nieces, Anne Kesler Blume, Judith Lynne Johnson. The family extends special thanks to Dr. Chetan Amin and Staff at Piedmont Family Medicine, Staff at Novant Infusion Center, and Dr. William M. Brinkley, Jr. and staff at the Novant Health Wallace Cancer Institute for their continuous, caring service and support to him through the years. The family will receive friends 6 – 8 p.m. Monday, May 1 at Summersett Funeral Home. A private family graveside service will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 2 at Rowan Memorial Park. Memorials/Contributions can be made to an organization of the donor's choice. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Thompson family, Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Charles Jefferson "Jeff" Thompson

March 22, 1935 - April 16, 2023