Lorene Thompson

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Lorene Francis Thompson, 89, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., and New Madrid, Mo., died peacefully June 1, 2012.

She was born June 22, 1922, in Loretto, the daughter of the late James C. and Donie Littrell and the close sister of the late Rachel B. Thompson. She was one of eight siblings, all of whom preceded her in death.

Lorene worked as the clerk of the Magistrate Court at the New Madrid County Courthouse for almost 30 years before her retirement. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Sikeston.

On March 27, 1951, 10 days after her sister, Rachel, married Dewey D. Thompson, she married Dewey's brother, Billy Burl Thompson. Bill preceded her in death on Sept. 9, 1969. On July 9, 1991, she married Johnny Martin, who also preceded her in death.

Although she was never able to have children of her own, she had a tremendous amount of love for each and every one of her nieces and nephews. Having been so close to Rachel throughout her life, she simply "adopted" Rachel's children and grandchildren as her own. Those children surviving her are: one son and daughter-in-law, Wendell and Martha Marie Thompson of New Madrid; two daughters and one son-in-law, Teresa Thompson and Brenda and Randy Reynolds both of Franklin; three grandchildren, Heather (and Micah) Pollock of Spring Hill, Leah Primm of Birmingham, Ala., and Caleb Reynolds of Franklin; and one great-grandson, Gentry Pollock of Spring Hill.

Visitation will be held this evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston where services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning. Tim Farrenburg, pastor, will officiate.

Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in New Madrid.

Paid obituary