Sarah Margaret Hudson Thompson

1924 - 2025

Sarah Margaret Hudson Thompson

November 29, 1924 - January 22, 2025

Sarah Margaret Hudson Thompson of Roanoke, Va., passed away peacefully after a period of declining health on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Margaret celebrated her 100th birthday with her loving family on November 29, 2024.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Raymond Lawrence Thompson; parents, William Burke and Sarah Emmie Quarles Hudson; grandparents, William C. and Mary Lucy Turner Hudson, and David W. and Angonella Ellen Bondurant Quarles; sisters, Viola Hudson St. Clair and Mary Hudson Sprinkle; brother, William D. Hudson; and son-in-law, Frederick Frank.

Her surviving family includes her children, Larry Thompson (Joni), Susan Frank, David Thompson (Trish), and Lisa Thompson (Todd Flanary); grandchildren, Stephen Thompson, Chad Thompson (Rosalind), Kimberly Shumaker (Randy), Adam Frank, Justin Frank (Jessica), Allen Thompson, Joseph Thompson (Nicole), Edward Dickenson (Jessica), Thomas Dickenson, Eric Shawver, Matthew Shawver (Blair), and Kane Flanary; and great-grandchildren, Andrew Thompson, Parker Thompson, Sarah Thompson, Jocelyn Thompson, Madelyn Thompson, Ashley Bonvillain, Emily Shumaker, James Frank, Julia Frank, Joseph Thompson, Tessa Thompson, Haeden Dickenson, Izabella Dickenson, Grant Dickenson, Hudson Shawver, and Wren Shawver.

Margaret was a dedicated member of Central United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Susanna Wesley Circle, served as president of the United Methodist Women for 17 years, and taught children's Sunday School for many years. Her passion for others was expressed through her mission work.

Margaret was born in the small community of Patmos, Va. She lived in Roanoke as a young child where her father was a carpenter, building houses with his brother. Upon the Depression, the family returned to "the country," where Margaret attended school and graduated from Huddleston High School. She then attended business college in Roanoke and began working at the Veterans Administration, where she met her husband, Ray. All four of Ray and Margaret's children were born in Roanoke; however, the family also lived in Lynchburg, Va., Spartanburg, S.C., and Columbia, S.C. After Ray's passing in 1995, she continued the mission and volunteer work the two of them enjoyed so much through Meals on Wheels, The Rescue Mission, Salem Clothes Closet, and the Discovery Shop. Margaret loved to keep busy, so she took up dance and enjoyed many years of square dancing, line dancing, and ballroom dancing, where she made many dear friends. In addition, she began working as a hostess at John M. Oakey & Son in 1998, and was a faithful employee until 2020. Margaret loved to host and cook for her family; her grandsons always requested Grand-mommy's chicken, green beans, and her famous pound cake. Margaret maintained her own independent household, driving herself to all of her activities until the ripe old age of 95.

The family extends special appreciation to all of Margaret's loving caregivers while she lived at Harmony and most recently at Brandon Oaks, and in particular, her daily companion, Minnie Robertson, who brought much love, joy, and laughter to Margaret's life.

A period of visitation will take place on Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, Va. The service to celebrate her life will be conducted on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Central United Methodist Church, also in Salem, Va. She will be laid to rest privately beside her late husband at Sherwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable contribution to Central United Methodist Women in Salem or Meals on Wheels. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.