Ron E Thompson

On Saturday, June 1, in answer to his daughters’ persistent prayers, Ronnie (“Ron”) Everett
Thompson was promoted to Heaven after a variety of extended illnesses. He was proceeded in
death by his wife of 63 years, Thelma Nichols Thompson; his mother Ruth Johnson and his
grandmother who raised him Mary (“Nanny”) Oliver from Hopewell, VA; father Samuel “Griff”
Thompson of Winchester, VA and grandfather who also helped raise him Levi Oliver of
Hopewell, VA. He is survived by his two daughters: Evangeline “Angie” Hales (Douglas) of
Lynchburg, VA and Melody Archer of Limestone, TN; Stepdaughter Kimberly Nokleby of St.
Petersburg, FL; four grandchildren: Magan Snell (Gabe) of Maryville, TN; Camilla Archer of
Limestone, TN; Jessica Hales and Zachary Hales of Lynchburg, VA; two great-children: Caden
Snell and Elora Snell of Maryville, TN; two sisters: Carolyn (Claude) Shell of Dinwiddie, VA and
Donna Cotner of Hopewell, VA; and one brother, Albert (“Bo” “Buster”) (Leah) Johnson of
Gretna, VA.

Ronnie Everett Thompson was born on February 4, 1935 in Hopewell, Virginia. He received his
Bachelor of Arts degree from Bridgewater College in 1957, his Master of Divinity degree from
Grace Theological Seminary in 1963, and completed extra graduate work at Wheaton College,
Billy Graham School of Evangelism, and the National Advisory Counsil on Innovation and
Entrepreneurship in 1992-1994.
In 1947, Ron trusted Christ as Savior at an evangelistic crusade in the Church of the Brethren in
Hopewell. In 1953, while attending a city-wide evangelistic crusade with Eddie Martin, he was
called by God to full-time Christian ministry. His mother said as a child that he surely must have
been called to preach because even as a toddler, he used to run down the sidewalk in front of
his home shouting, “Hallelujah, Amen, Sissies!” (“Sisters”) Obviously he had just repeated what
he had heard in church. With a ministry spanning over seventy-three years, Ron served as
pastor of churches in Indiana, Virgina, Arizona, and South Carolina. He also served as director
for Brethren Evangelistic Ministries with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, where he
held numerous evangelistic and revival crusades in twenty states. He also led teams that
conducted evangelism seminars throughout the United States and in several foreign countries,
including Argentina, Central African Republic, France, Guatemala, Israel, Puerto Rico, and
Turkey.
Ron is the author of two books: Hurricane Evangelism and Sermons in Song. He was a
columnist for PolitiChicks, a conservative media website, where he was a contributing author for
over 50 articles. He was in the process of completing his third book, which is his life story and
ministry, and will be released in the near future. Ron was also a musician, having studied music
under noted composer-conductor, Hubert Tillery, with the plans of full-time piano performance
until the Lord called him into the ministry. He was a pianist for a local ballet company as well as
school plays, choirs, and even lately a funeral home. He was even a member of a college rock
band. Music was an advocation in Ron’s life as he often incorporated hymn stories with many
sermons which is also reflected in his devotional book, Sermons in Song. He produced three
piano solo cassettes (Just Ron, Just Ron Again, and Just Ron at Christmas) and later two music
CD’s (Hymn Favorites from my Keyboard and Immortal Hymns from my Keyboard).
Ron dabbled in radio and electronics at an early age. He found great satisfaction putting
together crystal sets, breadboard radios, a stereo amplifier kit, and a broadcast oscillator that
became a homemade radio station. It wasn’t long after he tapped into the local WHAP radio
station that there was a knock at the door from the FCC checking for a pirate station reported in
the area. Ron then turned to photography as a hobby. He began a collection of old vintage
cameras and even learned to develop film in his own dark room. He passed his love of
electronics, photography, and music on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
As his daughters, we want to thank the Lord for the years of Dad’s faithfulness to our family and
his ministry. He has touched so many lives for the better, and Heaven would not be the same
because of his love and dedication to changing lives around the world for Him. His impact and
influence on others will be missed and felt through the future generations. In the end, he
identified with Paul in these words…. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have
loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
Ron was an active member of Fountain of Life Bible Church, Johnson City, where he was serving as Elder.
Funeral services will be Wednesday June 5, 2024 1:00PM at New Hope Brethren Church 352 New Hope Road, Jonesborough, with Pastor John H. Moore and Dr. Vic Young officiating. The family will receive family and friends Tuesday June 4, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at New Hope Brethren Church.
Graveside will be Wednesday following the funeral at Washington County Memory Gardens.
Jonesborough Funeral Home & Cremation Service 423-722-8888