Cary – Rufus Edvan "Ed" Thompson, 102, passed away on December 1, 2023 at Glenaire
Continuing Care Retirement Community.

Ed was born in Johnston County, the son of James Monroe Daniel Thompson and Mary Ellen Thompson Thompson. He was predeceased by, in addition to his parents, his wife, Jewitt, sisters, Inez T. Stewart and Eleanor T. Stewart, and brothers, Isaac and James Elmer.

He is survived by his sons, Jerry (wife, Dottie) and Mike; grandsons, Jacob (wife, Amanda), Jody (wife, Sarah) and granddaughter, Ashley Hale (husband, Jon) and great grandchildren, Rebecca and Jewitt Thompson, Edward and John Thompson and Mackenzie Hale.

After graduating from Atlantic Christian College, now Barton College, he served in the Army's 10 th Mountain Division from 1942 to 1946 during World War II with combat duty in the Italian Theatre of War. While on leave in December, 1944, he married the love of his life, Jewitt. After discharge from the Army in January, 1946, Mr. Thompson joined the teaching staff at Calypso School in Duplin County. An invitation to return to the classroom in the fall was declined. He took advantage of the GI Bill and continued his education at Hardbarger Business College. He then accepted a position with State Government where he worked with the Departments of State Treasurer, Education and Human Resources. Mr. Thompson retired from the Department of Human Resources, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, as Assistant Director for Fiscal Services.

Mr. Thompson was a Charter member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he served as Director of Music, Deacon and Chairman of the Diaconate. He and his wife, Jewitt, transferred their membership to Hayes Barton Baptist Church in 1988, where he served as deacon and member of the Chancel Choir and The Singing Men. He was a member and Distinguished President of The Optimist Club of Raleigh and was awarded a Life Membership of Optimist International.

After fifty years of living in Raleigh, Ed and Jewitt became residents of Glenaire in Cary in April of 2000. Ed loved calling Glenaire home for twenty-three plus years, and the family sincerely thanks all of the Glenaire staff, from Independent Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing, for the exceptional care and loving service always provided.

A private graveside service for the immediate family will occur at Montlawn Memorial Park. All are welcome at a Memorial Service Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 2:00 PM in the auditorium at Glenaire CCRC, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC. The family will receive friends at a reception in the rotunda after this service.

Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511 or to Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608.