Lillian Mitchum Thompson

Lillian Mitchum Thompson died peacefully on November 7th, 2018. She was born Lillian Gertrude Mitchum, on March 18th, 1926, near Jordan, SC, to Ada and Joseph Duffin Mitchum. She was the oldest daughter and had five brothers and sisters: Carlisle (deceased), Jean, Jack, John, and Frances. Although raised in rural South Carolina in the throes of the Great Depression, and later in the great diaspora caused by World War II, her family achieved remarkable academic and personal success through talent and powerful work ethic. Driven off the farm by brutal economics, J.D. Mitchum took a job as bridge tender for the wooden bridge across Yahannah swamp, near Bucksport, South Carolina in Horry County. It was while attending Conway High School that she met Fred Thompson Jr., whose family farmed tobacco and cotton just up the road. They fell into deep and lifelong love, and married on May 25, 1943. Dislocated by the war, they moved to Charleston. She had three children, Brenda, Susan, and Fred III, and is survived by Brenda Stewart (Larry) and Fred Thompson III (C. Carolyn Thiedke, M.D.); four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Lillian has loved and doted upon each one of these descendants and has provided them with a powerful model of grace, kindness, and love. And in turn, she was beloved by them. She pursued a lengthy career. Over her life she was present and helped build many institutions as a secretary and administrative assistant. She worked at the Naval Supply Center when Captain Ted Stern, later President Stern, was its Commanding Officer. She worked at Baptist College, now Charleston Southern, in its infancy, for Dr. John Barry, Dean. She worked later at the College of Charleston in the office of the President. Over her long career, she took on church secretary jobs in Charleston, Manning, and later, in Conway, when they came full circle back to the beloved farm on Bucksville Road. This was the fulfillment of their plans, and they lived on the farm until Fred's death in 1999. One of her great loves in her final years was to go and sit in the stand of pines planted by Fred Jr., watching the dancing shadows and listening to the quiet whisper of the wind. It was there that she found great peace and satisfaction at a life well lived. She will be missed by her family and friends. She will live on in the character, kindness and integrity she molded into all those she encountered. There will be a memorial service Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Hebron United Methodist Church, Bucksville, SC at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hebron United Methodist Church, c/o Lois Harrelson, 2045 Mineral Springs Road, Conway, SC 29527.