James T. Thompson

JAMES TURNER THOMPSON

Sovereign God, who is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent, summoned his servant James Turner Thompson peacefully to eternal rest on October 26, 2023. He was born on May 3, 1933 in Cherokee, AL to the late Corine Thompson Mason and was raised on a farm by his grandparents Rev. Charlie and Minnie Lee (Cook) Thompson. At the age of eleven he went to the mourner's bench, confessed Jesus Christ as his personal savior, was baptized by the church Steward Jim McKinney and became a member of Rutland Chapel CME Church in Cherokee, AL.

In 1944, when James was eleven, he saw the prettiest girl in the school walk across front of classroom. She had pompadour and two long plaits. He went home from school that day and said to his grandmother, saw the girl I'm going to marry!" She replied, "You did?" He said, "Yes Ma'am!" She asked, "What's her name?" He replied, "I don't know!"
Having a love for God, spirituals songs, singing, and his favorite quartet, The Fairfield Four, James Turner was the founder of two singing groups: The Highland Gospel Singers and The Cherokee School Quartet.

He was educated in the Colbert County School System and graduated from Cherokee High School in Cherokee, AL in 1951. James excelled in academics as well as athletics. At 6'2", he was the fastest and strongest guard on the football field which is how he gained his nickname "Big Jim." Mr. Reynolds the football/basketball coach called him "A One Man Game." He was also an avid bowler with at east ten perfect games of "300" to his credit.

After graduating in 1951, James enlisted in the US Army. He served during the Korean War in Okinawa, Japan and vas honorably discharged in 1954 after which he returned home to Cherokee, AL. On October 20, 1954, James went to luka, MS and married that pretty girl who walked through his classroom i 1944; her name Janie Newsome. They relocated to New Jersey and later to Pennsylvania and were blessed with four children; Vince, Gilbert, Kelly, and Stacy.

James had an extremely vast knowledge of the Bible. He could be found reading the Word and on his knees praying every morning and night like clock work. Most importantly, he and his wife Janie taught and introduced their children to Jesus. They poured into their children's lives and raised them in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

James retired from US Steel in 1987 after 33 years of service. In addition, he was a driver for car auctions, a moving/relocation company, drove a catering truck, custodial worker, and worked in construction. He was employed full and part time at Lower Bucks Hospital and retired after 20 years of service. He later worked for Caulkins Media for 16 years ending in 2015.

He was preceded in death by his lovely wife of 69 years, Janie; his son, Gilbert; his mother, Corine Thompson Mason (101 years old); grandfather, Rev. Charlie Thompson; grandmother, Minnie Lee (Cook) Thompson (99 years old); one brother, Johnnie Mason; three sisters, Theworthy Daniels, Essie Shelton, Easter McGlothan; three special aunts, Beulah Lumbus, Essie Bailey (109 years old), and Alberta Thompson; four special uncle-brothers; Charles, Edward, Joseph, and Connie D. Thompson. He leaves to cherish his memory, one son, Vince (Lavinia) Thompson of Pipersville, PA; two daughters, Kelly (Roger) Bowman of Yardley, PA, and Stacy (Todd) Cameron of Simpsonville, SC; six grandchildren, Amber, Ashley, Vince Jr., Christopher, Lauren, and Roger II; two great -granddaughters, Ava and Eva; three sisters, Claudette Goodloe of Cherokee, AL, Ruby Newton of Cleveland, OH, and Mayzola (William) Vaughn of Killen, AL; one favorite brother, William Shelton of Florence, AL; two brothers-in-law, CW (Gladys) Newsome and Frank McGlothan; two sisters-in law; Isabel Newsome and Julia Newsome; one Godson; Daniel Wright and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, neighborhood sons/daughters, and friends.

Funeral service will be 1pm Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Community Baptist Church, 225 Radcliffe St., Bristol, PA 19007. Calling hours will be 11am until the time of service. Interment will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Burlington, NJ. Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home. 

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