Elbert Layton Thompson, age 83, went to be with the Lord on January 3, 2020, in UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill. He was born in Fayetteville, NC, on August 14, 1936. He was from the Massey Hill community that he dearly loved. He made many longstanding friendships while growing up there and attending Massey Hill High School.
Elbert is survived by his beloved wife, of sixty years, Brenda Phipps Thompson, his wonderful son, Adam Layton Thompson and Adam’s girlfriend Joyce Ayo; his brother, Earl Cicero and his wife Betty of Panama City Beach, FL; a sister, Jeanette Anderson of Hope Mills, NC and several nieces and nephews. His belated parents were Earl H. Thompson from Fayetteville and his mother Flora Bullard Thompson from Beaver Dam, NC.
Elbert was proud to have served honorably in the United States Air Force for six years. He was awarded two good conduct medals. He had the honor to be chosen, from his unit, to meet and greet celebrities Bob Hope and Jayne Mansfield during one of their tours overseas to entertain the troops. He was also given pictures of that event with their signed autographs as a remembrance of the occasion.
He was a Mason in good standing in the John Huske Anderson Lodge #731.
He was also a member in Sudan Shriners since 1976. He was passionate about golf and enjoyed playing in the Shriners 2010 Golf Tournament where he won first place for low gross award. Most of all, he enjoyed playing golf with his friends, Ray Gales, Rudolph Green and brother-in-law Bill Miller.
Elbert sold cars in Fayetteville for thirty years. His last employment was with Lafayette Ford where he made lasting friendships with kind people that still get together for dinner way after retirement.
Working outside in the yard and helping out his friends and neighbors were the activities he liked most.
He was a good man, a Christian man. He loved and cherished his family and they loved him too. He will be greatly missed forever.
There will be a private family viewing at 12 p.m. of Thursday. Graveside service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Lafayette Memorial Park with Rev. Michael Hewett, officiating. Military and Masonic Honors will be rendered at the cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Shriner's Children's Home or St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301
Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com
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