Robert Thompson Jr., 93, the son of the late Robert Thompson, Sr. and Susan Singleton Thompson, was born in Sumter County on January 2, 1928. He departed this life on December 4, 2021. He attended the public schools of Sumter County and Morris College and completed the Duke Divinity School Course of Study in Durham, North Carolina. He was employed for several years and was the first black supply supervisor at Georgia Pacific Company in Sumter. He also served as pastor for 12 years at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Bethune. He later served for one year in 2006 at Mt. Zion, Shepherd, and Antioch United Methodist Churches in Sumter. He was married for 60 years to the late Eartha R. Thompson and to this union six children were born,. Rev. Gwendolyn (Johnnie) White of Sumter, Robert A. (Latonya) Thompson of Fayetteville, N. C., Deacon Wayne (Mary) Thompson of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Sheron (Anthony) Deas of Sumter, Apostle Charles (Evangelist Lillian) Thompson of Sumter, Susan (John) Pringle of Sumter; eighteen grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; bonus children, Richard and Margie Reddick; special thank you to Raymond Mack and Michael T. Heriot; four sisters-in-Law, Rosalie Wilson of New York, Annette Council of Ashburn, Virginia, Sarah Robinson of Columbia, Gardenia Robinson of Ashburn, Virginia; one brother-in-law, Willie Council of Ashburn, Virginia, and many other relatives and friends. Rev. Thompson was very active in the community. organizer and member of Starlight Gospel Singers, leader for Boy Scout Troop 232 for many years where many young men were positively influenced by him through this group. He also was one of the builders of the first Salterstown Community Center for the young people in the community. He began a Senior Bible Study Class at Salterstown Community Center. He received the American Defense Services Medal and World War II Victory WD Cir 326/45. He has been a mentor and a father figure for many in the community and the people who knew him. In accord with the COVID 19 guidelines, the family is requesting face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitation at the home, 929 Oswego Road, Sumter. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a. m., Saturday, December 11, 2021, at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 1093 Oswego Highway, Sumter, with the Reverend Charlie Thomas, Pastor. Remains will be placed in the Church at 10:00 a. m. for viewing until time of service. The procession will leave from the home at 10:30 a. m. Burial will be in the Evergreen Memorial Park, 802 North Guignard Drive, Sumter.
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