Doris R. Thompson

August 13, 2018

Doris Rhyne Thompson, age 91 of Spruce Pine, died Monday, August 13, 2018 at Blue Ridge Regional Health Center in Spruce Pine. Born on August 30 in Spruce Pine, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Will Rhyne and Effie Turbyfill Rhyne. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Robert (Bob) Dale Thompson, Sr.; sister; Jessie Peterson, Frances Willis, Alice Pittman, Lucille Burleson, and brother Ronald Rhyne. Doris taught second grade in Charlotte, Lincolnton and Spruce Pine for 30 years. She received her Associates Degree from Mars Hill College and Bachelor of Arts degree from Appalachian State Teachers College. She was a member of Spruce Pine First Baptist Church where she was active in Sunday School, Elderberries, Vacation Bible School, Women’s Prayer and Bible Study groups, greeter, Bethlehem Market Place and other church activities. In 1989 she was the first female to be elected to the Spruce Pine Town Council. She also enjoyed being active in Mitchell County Retired Teachers Association, Red Hat Society, Mitchell County Homemakers, and Mitchell Historical Society. Doris served on the Board of Directors for WAMY, Hospice, Community Fund, Education Foundation, and numerous local charities. Her favorite travel experiences included a trip to the Holy Land and visiting all 50 states. Left to cherish her memories are her children, Robert Thompson, Jr. and wife, Teresa of Summit, NJ; Marsha Whitson and husband, Ronnie of Spruce Pine; Gregg Thompson and wife Nancy of Raleigh; her grandchildren Robert III, Jose’, Grey, Reid and Molly; her brother, Harold Rhyne and wife Beth; step-grandchildren Amy Moore and husband Brad; and many special nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday, August 16 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church. A service celebrating her life will also be held at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church on Friday, August 17 at 11:00am. The service will be officiated by Dr. Rocky Branch and Dr. David Vess. Interment will follow at the Spruce Pine Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Doris Rhyne Thompson Scholarship Fund for Elementary Education Majors, addressed to Spruce Pine United Methodist Church, 11090 Hwy. 226 South, Spruce Pine, NC 28777; Attn. Mr. Tim Drum. Words of comfort may be emailed to the family by going to www.webbfh.com, selecting Doris Thompson’s name and then you may sign her guestbook. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine, NC is assisting the Thompson family.