Lucy Brannon Thompson

Lucy Thompson, 90, of Clinton, Arkansas, was born on August 25, 1935, in Eupora, Mississippi and departed from this world two days after her birthday on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Her parents were the late Joseph Wiley Brannon and Viola Dew-Brannon. Lucy was an excellent clarinet player in the high school band and sang soprano in the First Baptist Church choir in Eupora. Her teachers loved her because she was an exceptional learner and even graduated early! After graduation, she married Raymond Derrington Carter and they moved to Memphis, Tennessee. While married, Lucy had three children—Deborah Rae, Jeanne Diane and Susan Lee. She was a very devoted Mother to her three girls. In 1968, Lucy became a single working mom raising three daughters alone. She was employed by Elliott Impressions as office manager and became a valuable member of the team. After leaving Elliott Impressions, Lucy was offered the opportunity to work for Albert Owens of Holiday Inn for many years as his bookkeeper. In 1977, Lucy later married Lee Criswell Thompson and they moved to Nesbit, Mississippi. While living there, Lucy developed many hobbies; she was always happy to work in her expansive yard, feedings her birds and tending many of her plants and flowers. She enjoyed cooking for her family whenever they came to visit! There was nothing better than to sit down at her table loaded with country fixings and her delicious homemade biscuits! Quilting was a passion for Lucy. She designed many beautiful hand-sewn quilts throughout her life and gave many away to loved ones who will cherish them as an example of her well-designed artistry and also as a reminder of her love. If there was a sports game on TV, Lucy always tuned in! She loved football, baseball and basketball, especially the Spurs team in her later years. It wasn’t unusual to hear her root with gusto for her team during these games. Lucy had a tender heart for animals and always spoiled them. She had many loved pets over the years! A few of her pets included Ginger, High Socks, Bojo, Nugget, Queenie, Handel and Figaro. I’m sure if Lucy has anything do with it, she is surrounded by all in Heaven now. Maybe she is sneaking bacon and eggs to Nugget or giving her beloved Queenie some bologna. Lucy loved reading and cherished books; she was proud of her vocabulary skills. Crossword puzzles were so easy for her and she read a wide variety of books. She especially loved reading her Bible and any book written about the Apostle Paul. As a homebody, one of her favorite quotes was, “Books can take you where your feet can’t go.” Lucy traveled alot in her books. Lucy was a devout Christian lady of the Baptist faith and shared her love for the Lord through song as a soprano choir member at Colonial Baptist Church for many years in Memphis. She took piano lessons at age 40 and loved to play church hymns on her piano. And she love classical music too. Andrew Bocelli was a favorite. Above all, Lucy loved her family with her whole heart. As a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she cherished every moment spent with them. Her grandchildren called her Big Momma or just plain Big. She was an establishing strength, offering kind advice when needed, a loving home away from home, or just an understanding ear to listen. Lucy was one of eleven children, and her love for parents and siblings carried through her entire life. She will be remembered for her warmth, love and the joy she showed each family member in her acts of kindness. She was a loving big sister and enjoyed her brothers and always appreciated their help during difficult times. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Deborah Carter Hardy of Corinth, Mississippi; Susan Carter Bean of Clinton, Arkansas and Jeanne Carter (Matthew) Hadley of Little Rock, Arkansas. Her siblings include a brother, Michael (Annie Gee) Brannon and Dorothy McCorkle both of Mississippi. In addition, Lucy loved many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents—Joseph W. Brannon and Viola Dew Brannon of Eupora, Mississippi and eight siblings. Her late brothers include Joseph W. Brannon of Slidell, Louisiana; Albert D. Brannon of Sarasota, Florida; James R. Brannon of Olive Branch, Mississippi and John William Brannon of Oxford, Mississippi. Her late sisters include Elizabeth Jane Shaffer of Memphis, Tennessee; Joyce Ann Williams of Charlotte, North Carolina; Avery Jean Carl of Versailles, Kentucky and Patricia A. King Goff of Bradenton, Florida. Lucy will be missed dearly. We loved her when she was young and we loved her when she became old. We loved her though her hard times and good times and when she could no longer care for us, we cared for her. Lucy had many great qualities we admired and emulate today. She was a hard worker with exceptional organizational skills, loved her family, tirelessly did for others until she could not, and her love of nature and music. We will cherish memories that she gave us and all the life lessons she taught us about loving one another. But most of all we remember all that she gave though her loving actions. She used to say, “Memories are like pearls that you collect and at the end of your life, you have a beautiful pearl necklace.” Lucy was our pearl necklace in so many ways. May she rest in long awaited peace now for she has earned her place in Heaven. We are comforted now that she is with Jesus and her parents, brothers, sisters and loving pets. All of us who knew and loved Lucy will carry her pearls inside our hearts for now until we meet again. We love you Lucy, Mom, Sister, Big Momma, Big, and Friend. May all our many memories comfort us now. This is a quote from mom’s Bible that she cut out of the newspaper and thought she might like it included. A Better Place: There’s a place I’ve never seen before beyond this world we know, a place I’ve only heard of, but someday hope to go. It’s not on any map; there are no roads to take me there. But it’s a place of perfect peace where hearts are free from care. And though I understand some may be saddened when I leave, we all will meet again, that’s what I believe. A private family Memorial Service was held for Mrs. Lucy at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at LaGrange Methodist Church in Choctaw County, Mississippi. Interment was held there at LaGrange Methodist Church Cemetery in Choctaw County. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora was honored to be entrusted with arrangements for the family.