Mary Grace Walpole Thompson

Mary Grace Walpole Thompson, 94, of Billings, Montana, and most recently, Richardson, Texas, left her earthly home to go to her heavenly reward on Nov. 10, 2019.

A strong woman of faith, Mary Grace’s Christian example touched the lives of all who knew her.

Mary Grace was born June 16, 1925, in Eros, LA, to Lee and Jessie Walpole. Mary Grace graduated from Choudrant High School and then went to Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, where she studied home economics. She received her Bachelor of Science in 1945 and then moved to Baytown, Texas, to work for Humble Oil. At Humble, Mary Grace helped with the war effort by working on the production of synthetic rubber used for tires and other rubber needs. While in Baytown, she went to First Baptist Church, where she met William Purifoy Thompson. Mary Grace and Purifoy developed a strong friendship, which led to their marriage on April 2, 1949. Together they raised five children with lots of love and prayer.

Mary Grace will be remembered for her faith in God, for being a prayer warrior, her sweet loving spirit, her love of anything chocolate, and her support of her Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

Mary Grace is preceded in death by her husband, Purifoy, and their son, William David Thompson. She is survived by her son John P. Thompson and his spouse, Douglas, son W. Norman Thompson and his wife, Pam, son Edward Thompson and his wife, Sharon, daughter Martha Thompson, daughter Mary Helen Culbertson and her husband, Gene, grandchildren, stepgrandchildren, and stepgreat-grandchildren. Mary Grace is also survived by her brother, J. N. Walpole and his wife, Ruth, their children, and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at the Presbyterian Church of Ruston.

Burial will occur in 2020 in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston, TX.