Shelby Jean Thompson

1936 - 2016

Thompson Shelby Jean Thompson, 79, Gahanna, Ohio, went to be with Jesus Christ her Lord on Friday, April 29, at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, following complications from surgery. She was born on September 8, 1936 in Putney, West Virginia to Kinney and Myrtle Hamrick. Her childhood was spent in the midst of the mountains of Kanawha County with her six siblings. In her pre-teen years during a period of family tumult, she willingly accepted the role as chief caregiver to her siblings providing ballast in the home. In her later adolescent years she took the courageous and risky step to move to Columbus, Ohio, where she found employment at Dingman's Drugstore in downtown Columbus. It was there she met her future husband, Gene Thompson. They were married on July 12, 1958. Gene and Shelby accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior in the middle years of the 1960s. This event radically altered the direction of their lives. Gene became an ordained minister in the Churches of Christ in Christian Union, and together they embarked on their lifetime calling of pastoral ministry in the church. Together they pastored eight congregations. They are in chronological order: Oakland Park Chapel, Columbus; Endwell Church of Christ In Christian Union, Endwell, New York; Wyoming Church of Christ in Christian Union, Wyoming, Delaware; Central Avenue Church of Christ in Christian Union, Columbus; Johnstown Church of the Nazarene, Johnstown, Ohio; Lisbon Church of the Nazarene, Lisbon, Ohio; Willo-lake Church of the Nazarene, Willoughby, Ohio; Bellefontaine Church of Christ in Christian Union, Bellefontaine, Ohio. Shelby's ministry was characterized by joyful service to persons in the margins. She was especially moved to reach out to children, the aged, and the poor. Shelby is survived by her husband of nearly 58 years, Gene Thompson of Gahanna. She is survived by four children, Michael (Josetta) of Grove City, Susan of Gahanna, Barbara of Gahanna, and David (Stephanie) of Gallipolis, Ohio. She is survived by two brothers, Claude and Otis Hamrick, both of London, West Virginia; seven grandchildren; and numerous relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings. A memorial service celebrating Shelby's life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at the GAHANNA FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH, 3868 N. Stygler Road, Columbus, Ohio 43230. Reverend Dr. Thomas H. Hermiz and Reverend Curtis Booth presiding. Visitation Hours to express condolences to the family are Monday, May 2, 2016, from 4-7 p.m. at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, Ohio 43230. Visitation is also available one hour before the memorial service at the church. Interment will be at Kingwood Memorial Park, 8230 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035. A graveside service will immediately follow the memorial service. Visit www.schoedinger.com to send online condolences to the family. Anyone wishing to make a donation in her memory may direct gifts in her name to Gahanna Freewill Baptist Church (address provided above) or Ashland Theological Seminary, 910 Center Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805.