Fern Waters Thompson

THOMPSON, Fern Waters, 92, joined our Lord and many of her loved ones on April 15, 2022. She was preceded in death by parents, Thomas Carlie and Mary Waters; her beloved husband of 36 years, Kenneth Phillip; son, Craig; daughter-in-law, Ana. She is survived by sons, Kurt (Jennifer) and Brent (Brenda); nine grandchildren, Bryan (Shana), Justin (Lindsay), Russell (Tracey), Karl (Lauren) and Brooke Thompson, Brittany (Justin) Taylor, Ben (Jennifer) and Jon (Lauren) Liles, Lauren (Chris) Neff; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Thomas Carlie Waters; nieces, Gail and Karen Waters; nephew, Erick Waters; great-niece, Brenna; and great-nephew, Adam. Fern played basketball and softball for Varina High School. She graduated from Madison College in 1950, as a Health & P.E. major, played basketball, swam and was president of her senior class. She met the love of her life, Kenneth, in the 4th grade at Varina Elementary and they married in August 1950. They raised three boys and supported each of them on and off of the athletic field. Fern devoted her professional career to teaching for 33 years, 32 in Henrico County with 29, as a P.E. teacher. She found her passion for teaching Varina High School's 10th grade females, helping them with archery, rope climbing, tennis, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, modern and square dancing and ensured students could all perform the Virginia Reel. Fern taught her students how to bowl AND score the game, allowing them to demonstrate their skills with a field trip to Eastern Bowl. She taught a valuable health unit on the differences in community colleges and universities. She also taught a special 11th grade P.E. class, taking the girls to YMCA to get their life guard certification and to her home, where she taught them how to row a boat in the lake. Outside of the classroom at Varina, Fern coached girls' basketball and track, sponsored Junior Class and Cheerleaders, was PTA President and initiated the Varina Pep Club. Numerous of Fern's students kept in touch, often reminding her of the positive impact she made in their lives and she was blessed with many friendships. Fern's favorite pastime was reading and she loved working in her yard and enjoyed the beautiful azaleas that she and Kenneth planted on their property. Their family getaway was on the Potomac River, where the family enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, skiing, playing cards and each other. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 28 and 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, April 29 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, where services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 29. Interment will follow in Washington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the ALS Foundation at www.ALSinfo.org and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to help fight breast cancer (info-komen.org). Online condolences may be made at nelsenrichmond.com.