Dorothy Thompson

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Dorothy Lou Byrd Thompson, 87, of Charleston died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born Dec. 13, 1922, in St. Louis, to William Jennings "Bryan" and Lela Dixon Byrd.

Thompson lived in Charleston most of her life where she had been employed with Basler Electric Co. and then was a CNA at Charleston Manor a number of years until her retirement.

She was married to Leonard E. Thompson, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Lonnie Earl Thompson; three brothers, Sonny, Bill and Andrew Byrd; and two sisters, Sally Smith and Jo Ann Byrd.

Surviving are four daughters and three sons-in-law, Darlene Matthews of Marble Hill, Mo., Linda and Bill Bailey of Swartz Creek, Mich., Shirley and Roy Moore of East Prairie, Mo., Sharon and Darrell Gustafson of Hopkinsville, Ky.; eight grandchildren, David Bailey, Tony Gemeinhardt, Dawn Bailey Black, Rhonda Chandler Raithel, Greg Bailey, Neal Mabry, Brooke Gustafson and Jessica Moore; 12 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Jack Hargraves, pastor of Victory Chapel in Charleston, will officiate. The eulogy will be offered by her daughter, Darlene Matthews. Interment will be in IOOF Cemetery in Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Gustafson, Roy Moore, Richard Raithel, Travis Raithel, Tristan Raithel and Michael Howard Meeks.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.