Phyllis Vananda Thompson Obit

PHYLLIS VANANDA THOMPSON

Sept. 28, 1943–Aug. 10, 2019

Phyllis Vananda Thompson, age 75 of Murfreesboro, Tenn., died Aug. 10, 2019, from Parkinson’s Disease complications, surrounded by her loving family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Lois Vananda; her husband, Col. Robert Thompson; her sister, Doris Padgett; and a brother, Henry “Butch” Vananda. 

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Lee Douglas; grandsons, Matt (Peggy) Tharp, Ira Douglas III, Stephen Douglas, and Jacob (Rachel) Douglas; great-granddaughters, Hannah, Bonnie, and Ember; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many multi-generational friends across the country, as well as her full time caregiver and friend, Theresa Carter. 

She is also mourned by her faithful companion, Comet the dog, who never willingly left her side. Having a father in the Navy, Phyllis changed schools often and made friends easily. She worked as a secretary, trucking business owner, executive assistant to the chief economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, convenience store proprietor, and estimator for a moving and storage company. She split her time in retirement between Tennessee and Wyoming. She had an adventurous spirit, traveling with family and friends, including zip-lining down a mountain in Montana, riding a cog-railroad in the Alps and bird watching in Costa Rica. Her last trip was to five national parks in Colorado and Utah, earlier this summer. She was considered a true beauty, both inside and out, but her best attribute was the love she gave to those who knew her and the love she received in return.

Services were provided by Murfreesboro Funeral Home on Aug. 12. Graveside services were at Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church Cemetery in Townsend, Tenn., on Aug. 13. Officiating were Pastor Jack Tidrick and Pastor Beau Riffey.

Murfreesboro Funeral Home is honored to serve the Thompson family.