Deacon Oliver Wendell Thompson

A TIME TO BE BORN Oliver Wendell Thompson was born in Gloster MS on March 9, 1941 to the late Ollie Bell Roberts and TJ Thompson. A TIME TO DIE Oliver departed this earthly realm for his heavenly home on January 30", 2026 at Willow Creek Nursing & Rehab. A TIME TO LEARN Oliver was educated in the Amite County School System where he was an exemplary student and played clarinet in the band. Oliver furthered his education at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, MS A TIME TO LOVE Oliver married the love of his life Rutha Mae Walker July 26, 1966. He naturally became father to Jessie and Oscar Stewart. To this union three children were born Patricia Ann, Boyd Donnell, and Vanessa Demetrius. Vanessa preceded Oliver in death. A TIME TO LIVE Oliver was a long-time resident of Pearl MS starting July 1966. He was lovingly known to his family as a "professional talker". Oliver worked as a night watchman at Standard Oil Company, Jackson MS for many years. His dream job from his youth was to be a truck driver. His love of driving trucks stemmed from working for a cattle buyer in his youth. He would sit on a pillow and drive trucks for Mr. Pete White who he often talked about. Oliver drove for Mississippi Materials Company (now MMC) for twenty-seven years, where he won top driver at their truck rodeo one year and that gave him bragging rights and oh did, he brag. After he retired, he drove school buses for Pearl Public Schools. Oliver was a father that provided for his "four crumb snatchers" as he referred to his children. Oliver accepted Christ into his life at an early age at New Hope M.B. Church, Gloster MS. Upon moving to Pearl, he, along with his family, joined Mt Holum M.B. Church, Pearl MS under the leadership of Pastor L. R. Travis. He assumed many duties at Mt Holum throughout the years including Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Janitor, Choir member, and Male Chorus member. Oliver's most treasured position was being a Deacon of the church which gave him yet another opportunity not just to talk but to tell others about the God he served. Oliver has always tried to be a mentor to young men in the neighborhood. He was a lover of football and often talked about how his grandmother Alice would not let him play. So, he lived vicariously through his sons and other young men in the neighborhood. He would load the station wagon or the truck and take them to pee-wee football practice and games. He loved to share a pack or two of pecan twirls with everyone afterwards. A TIME TO MOURN Oliver leaves to cherish his memories, His loving, and dedicated wife of fifty-nine and a half years Rutha Mae, three sons Jessie Lee (Cynthia) of Byram, MS, Oscar (Janie) of Pearl, MS, Boyd Donell (Kitty) of Byram, one daughter Patricia Ann (Johnny) of Pearl MS, four brothers Gerald Weatherspoon of Glenn Dale Maryland, Eric Roberts of Jackson, MS, Gerald Thompson and Bernard Thompson of Inglewood, CA, one sister-in-love Annie Jean Robinson of Gloster MS, one brother-in-love Richard Walker of Baton Rouge LA, special friend and former co-worker Mr. George Erving and special cousin Mr. Terry Brown of Ponchatoula LA. Mother Ollie Bell Roberts, Father TJ Thompson, Brother Reginald Roberts and Sister Vera Collins preceded Oliver in death. Seventeen Grands, Thirty Five Great-Grands, a host of other relatives and friends.

Deacon Oliver Wendell Thompson

March 9, 1941 - January 30, 2026