Tonja Thompson

Tonja L. Thompson, 58, of Jackson died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at her home.

She was born May 19, 1951, in Sikeston, Mo., to Lynn and Betty Nowell Thompson.

Thompson was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church. She was a receptionist at Saint Francis Fitness Plus. She was an avid horsewoman.

She grew up in Lilbourn, Mo., then moved to Sikeston, St. Louis, then to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson areas.

Survivors include her mother, Betty Thompson of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Matt Tanksley and wife Carol of Jackson, Adam G. Tanksley of Farmington, Mo.; four sisters, Donna Neal and husband Don of Richmond, Ky., Karen Carmody and husband Ron of Austin, Texas, Beverly Simmons and husband David and Robin Miller and husband Tim of Cape Girardeau; and a large number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lynn Thompson.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Program.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.