Mrs. Julie Ann Thompson

Julie Ann Thompson passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 13th, 2017 at Inova Fairfax Hospital surrounded by her family and loved ones. Julie was a loving wife, mother, and a great friend to many people. She was a great listener and counselor who always put the needs of others before her own. Julie is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Richard Thompson, and her three children: Joseph Thompson and his wife Emily, Meghan Edwards and her husband Daniel, and Kathleen Thompson. Born April 21st, 1957 in Rock Island, Illinois, Julie was the daughter of the late Ralph and Kathleen (Lamp) Cockerill. Julie attended Bradley University where she obtained a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering. Upon graduation she moved to Dallas, TX where she met her husband and the love of her life, Rich. Julie and Rich married in 1983 and lived in Chicago, IL, San Francisco, CA, Sacramento, CA, and West Hartford, CT before settling in Centreville, VA in 1994. Julie was a devoted mother. She was an active participant in her children's many school and extra-curricular activities. She served for many years as a Girl Scout troop leader and supported her daughter Meghan's competitive swimming by driving her to swim practice at 4 AM multiple times a week to help her towards becoming an eventual NCAA swimmer. Julie also served the community by teaching ESL and volunteering at the WFCM food pantry. Her hobbies included reading, walking, hiking, yoga and cooking. Julie was a humble servant of Christ and the church community. She was an active member of Centreville United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school and adult bible study classes, served on church leadership councils and participated in church sponsored missions such as Grace Ministries, the Tea ministry and Helping Haitian Angels (including a mission trip to Haiti in October 2016). Julie also participated in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) International where she served as a group leader. Julie is survived by her brother John Cockerill and his wife Karen; her sister Jan Franks and her husband John; her father-in-law Fred Thompson; her brother-in-law Scott Thompson and his wife Terri; and her sister-in-law Carol Pepper and her husband Dave. Julie was also the loving aunt to many nieces and nephews: Andy and Caleb Cockerill, Josh and Jennie Franks, Matt Smith, Jack Thompson, and Emily, Eric, and Zach Pepper. Julie was preceded in death by her brother Jim Cockerill (survived by wife Merry), mother-in law Joanne Thompson and sister-in-law Marjorie Hardee (survived by husband Alton Hardee). A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 20, at 2 PM at the Centreville United Methodist Church located at 6400 Old Centreville Road, Centreville, VA 20121. Following the service there will be a visitation from 3-5 PM where guests may pay their respects. Light refreshments will be provided at the visitation. A private burial ceremony in the coming weeks will place Julie's remains to rest in State College, PA, a place near and dear to her in life. Memorial contributions are welcome and may be made to the Centreville United Methodist Church or the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries Food Pantry.