Edwin "Jerry" Emilous Thompson

Edwin Thompson never really went by his first name. Known as "Jerry" to anybody within eyesight, he was a man of dreams, conviction, and deep love. He never met a stranger.

On Sunday, January 5th, 2025, he passed away, just a little over a month before his 86th birthday.

Born February 9, 1939 in Sylva, Jerry stayed in Jackson County most of his life, with much of it centered around the Ochre Hill community and made a career working for decades at what was then known as C.J. Harris Community Hospital in Sylva.

However, he always had dreams, which included everything from being a famous radio DJ, to a singer--the latter of which he was able to do regularly, for years, in Sunday church services. He would also serve his community in a variety of ways and even once served as chief of the Balsam-Willets-Ochre Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

Even with all the things he did and all the dreams he had, he was a family man at heart. 

To those who loved him, he was "Daddy" and "Papaw". He was a good man whose wealth was measured in the love from those who were close to him and served as a cornerstone for the family he loved right back.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy Blanton Thompson and William Carl Thompson, and by his sister, Mary Parks.

He is survived by his sister, Edna Scott. He is also survived by three daughters: Delonda Boozer of Whittier, Shelly Busa of Albany, NY, and Freida Thompson of Riegelwood, NC; five grandchildren: Jessica Swanger, Derek Dellinger, Taryn Voltz, Mylah Bisnett, and Waylon Crisp; and three great-grandchildren: Tyler Lenart, Lily Swanger, and Lincoln Bisnett. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and extended family.

A visitation for Jerry will be at Ochre Hill Baptist Church Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 11:00am until 1:00pm with his funeral service to follow. Burial will take place following the funeral service at the nearby Blanton-Norman Cemetery, with the Reverend J.D. Grant officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Lord's Closet at Ochre Hill Baptist Church.

Words cannot adequately express what Jerry meant to his family, and what Jerry's family meant to him. However, he never needed words to express his love. One could always see the love he had and the pride he took in everything that they did and in the hugs that each and every one of them will miss.

Appalachian Funeral Services is handling the arrangements.