Eva Lee Thompson

1921 - 2017

Eva Lee Franklin Thompson, 95, of Morristown, passed away Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 at her daughter and son-in-law's Morristown home. She had been a resident of Regency Retirement Village for several years. Eva loved God, her church, family, friends and country. She was a long time member of Mt. Airy United Methodist Church and also had a special love for Rocky Point Baptist, her first church.

She was born the youngest child of John and Eva Franklin on March 21, 1921. She married William Earl Thompson on Dec. 7, 1940 and they were only 12 days shy of celebrating their 75th anniversary when he passed away.

She worked in various positions through the years including Rose and Roberts Elementary School cafeterias and retired from the Morristown City School system as the cafeteria manager of Meadowview Middle School.

Predeceasing Eva were her husband of almost 75 years, William Earl Thompson; parents, John Harrison and Eva Lou Welch Franklin; siblings and their spouses, Roy Franklin (Zenith Lucas), Coy Franklin (Edith Courtney), Fred Franklin (Gertrude ""Polly"" Haun), Vergie Quinn (Steve) and Frances Pauline Franklin; grandson, Stephen Michael Sides; nephews, Roy Lee Franklin Jr. and Roy Lee ""Skip"" Franklin III; and nieces, Clayta Franklin Anderson and Rosemary Franklin Turner.

Surviving Eva are her daughters, Earleen Thompson Sides (Carl Raymond) and Mary Lee Thompson Copeland (Richard); grandchildren, Geoffrey Lynn Sides (Kathrin Hand), Richard D. Copeland Jr. (Nancy Stacy), Jennifer Sides Lee (Rodger ""Lane"") and Rebecca Lee Copeland; great-grandchildren, Colton Sharit, Gabriella Lee, Matthew and Anna Copeland.

The family will receive friends Saturday, Feb. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. at Mayes Mortuary with the Rev. Allen Shupe officiating. Interment will follow in Hamblen Memory Gardens.

Arrangements by Mayes Mortuary.