Mary Thompson

Valdosta/Glennville
Mary Joanna Thompson, 88, of Valdosta, Georgia, died on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Fellowship Home. Born in Glennville, Georgia on August 22, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Willie R. and Edna Purcell Thompson.
Miss Thompson graduated from Wesleyan College in 1947 where she made many cherished friendships. It was during her time there that she also met her mentor, Miss Fannie White, the dietician for the college. In the early 1950s they decided to fulfill a shared dream by becoming business partners and opening a tearoom in one of Milledgeville's historic old homes. The Sanford House soon gained a reputation as a fine dining establishment and the center of much of the town's social interaction. The author, Flannery O'Connor (Miss Thompson's contemporary) and her mother, Mrs. Regina O'Connor (Miss White's contemporary) often stopped in for lunch and a close friendship formed. After the deaths of the other three, Miss Thompson compiled favorite recipes into The Sanford House Cookbook, as a tribute to this friendship, giving all rights to the Flannery O'Connor-Andalusia Foundation on whose board she served.
With Miss White's retirement The Sanford House closed in the late 1960s, much to the dismay of their customers and friends. Miss Thompson's retirement would come many years later from Georgia College and State University where one of her responsibilities was the management of the Old Governor's Mansion.
Miss Thompson enjoyed her many trips to historic sites and gourmet restaurants in this country and Europe. She was a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and had been actively involved as a volunteer and trustee with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation from its beginning. She would be named Volunteer of the Year by the Georgia Trust and receive the 1997 Alumnae Award for Distinguished Service to the Community from Wesleyan College. As a Christian her life was based on doing for others.
Miss Thompson was a very capable and gracious lady with great taste, a truly loyal friend, and the best aunt any niece or nephew could ever wish to have. She helped to mold the best of their habits and hearts.
She is preceded in death in addition to her parents; by a sister and brother-in-law, Leahman and Earl Burkhalter; and an infant brother, Alden Thompson.
Survivors include:
Nephews and their spouses:Dr. Bill and Lou Bennett of Cordele
Jerry and Susan Dowdy of Wrens
Mike Dowdy of Savannah
Dr. Hugh and Ellen Durrence of Charleston, South Carolina
Nieces and their spouses:Janet and Mark Haworth of Valdosta, Judy Burkhalter of Brookhaven and Linda and Carol Stuthers of Dunedin, Florida





Sister:Mrs. Gladys Durrence of Charleston, South Carolina
Sister-in-Law:Mrs. Willie Jo Dowdy of Glennville
The family will receive friends at Brannen-Kennedy Funeral Home in Glennville on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 from 2 �½" 3 p.m., followed by a graveside service and interment at 4:00 p.m. at Watermelon Creek Baptist Church near Glennville. The Rev. John Smith will officiate.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: First Baptist Church of Milledgeville, Wesleyan College, Georgia's Old Capital Museum for The Sanford House, the Flannery O'Connor-Andalusia Foundation, or the Georgia Trust.
Brannen-Kennedy Funeral Home of Glennville is in charge of local arrangements.