Cressie Irene McBee Thompson Obituary 1911-2013
Cressie “Irene” McBee Thompson, 101, a resident of Highland Park and Elkins, departed this life Friday morning, Jan. 18, 2013, in Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center.
She was born Thursday, Nov. 2, 1911, at Wymer, a daughter of the late Woodbridge and Phoebe Jane White McBee. She was the oldest of 11 children.
On April 12, 1931, at Cumberland, Md., she was married to Maynard Bryan Thompson, who preceded her in death Jan. 17, 1966.
Irene leaves, to cherish her memory, three daughters, Marlene Thompson Murphy of Virginia Beach, Va., Betty Jean Phares of Elkins and Karen Mason of Beckley; four brothers, John McBee of Columbus, Ohio, George McBee of Roseville, Ohio, Kenneth McBee of Frankfort, Ky., and Jim McBee of Stony Creek, Va.; one sister, Maxine Hershon of New Market, Va.; 14 caring grandchildren, Richard, Craig and Mike Murphy, Debra Darr, and Valerie Simerson, Robert, Paul, Brian and Stephanie Mason, Paula Dickson, and John Biller, Dana Casper, Dani Bucholtz and Debbie Phares; 24 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many caring nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were three brothers, Troy, Lewis and Leonard McBee; two sisters, Gertrude Pienkowski and Hillma Scott; and three sons-in-law, Richard Murphy, Paul Mason and Dan Phares
She was a graduate of Elkins High School. Irene and her husband were founding members of Highland Park Methodist Church where the first service was conducted in 1939. She was active in the church for 70 years serving as WSCS president, teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir.
During World War II, she began working at the W.T. Grant Department Store and retired after 25 years of service.
She was an excellent seamstress and sewed many clothes for herself, three daughters and grandchildren. In her 80s, she made quilts and blankets for her great-grandchildren while visiting in Virginia Beach during the winter.
She was a board member for many years at Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center and was a volunteer in the gift shop. Upon retirement, she was given Director Emeritus on Dec. 15, 2004.
In June of 2005, she received a lifetime membership award for 50 years of dedication to Delphia Rebekah Lodge 62.
We wish to thank Kelly, Megan, Angie, Paula, Dorsleen, Sarah, Autumn, Misty and April and all the wonderful nurses and aides at Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center for their care of Irene.
The family will receive friends at Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. Saturday at 1:30 p.m. a funeral service will be conducted with the Rev. Dr. Basil A. Hensley officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain State Memorial Gardens at Gilman.
The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center Auxiliary, 1175 Beverly Pike, Elkins, WV 26241, the Highland Park Methodist Church, Charles Street, Elkins, WV 26241 or to the First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Ave., Elkins, WV 26241 for Operation Christmas Child. Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Cressie “Irene” McBee Thompson. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.
Cressie Irene McBee Thompson Obituary 1911-2013
