Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

THOMPSON

Barr

Gandy

Malone

Pope

Pope-Bird

Purnell

Walker

Williams

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – June 16, 2002

Jan Thompson

Feb. 4, 1935 - June 14, 2002

Sister Jan Thompson, 67, who resided on West Wayne Street, South Bend, Ind., went home to be with the Lord at 4 a.m. Friday, June 14, in Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center.

On Feb. 4, 1935, she was born to the union of Jack and Judy Mae Purnell in Monroe, La. At the age of three, her family moved to South Bend where she remained a lifelong resident. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, brother, Jack Jr., and by her sisters, Jane and Judith Marie.

She leaves to cherish her memory a loving son, Norman Malone Jr.; four sisters, Joan Walker of San Jose, Calif., Jacqueline (Harvester) Barr, Betty Jo Pope and Sandra Lee Gandy, all of South Bend; an uncle, Percy Williams of South Bend; a special nephew and niece, Michael Purnell and Crystal Pope-Bird; along with 20 nieces and nephews, 75 great-nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

With her music and personality, she touched the lives of so many.

In 1972 she owned and operated Jan & Ken's Record Shop on Western Avenue. Afterwards she was an organist for Kingsford Heights Church and several other churches in the South Bend area. She was also a dedicated employee for Alford's Mortuary as a staff attendant. Her last place of employment was organist for Progressive Missionary Baptist Church where she was also a member for four years. Her music dedication and love for the Lord was enduring to the end.

The homecoming celebration for Sister Thompson will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, in Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, with Reverend Henry L. Giden Sr. officiating. Friends may call in the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.

Alford's Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements.