Obituary

Deacon Arvadie Thompson HALE CENTER- Deacon Arvadie Thompson, 90, of Lubbock, Texas passed away on Oct. 3, 2013. Arvadie was born on Aug. 2, 1923 to the parentage of Hary and Sadie B. (Davis) Thompson in Frankston, Texas. In 1942, he married the late Mercy D. Love and moved to Hale Center, Texas. He was the second oldest black man to move to Hale Center. He was a member of Lone Star Baptist Church under the Elder Claude Mullin. Later he joined Friendship Holy Baptist Church #2 under Superintendent W.L. Griffin until his passing. He married Lee Vester Williams in 1961. He worked various jobs, including the Hale Center Co-op Gin, and retired from the Texas Highway Department after 20 years of service. Arvadie and his wife Lee raised many children, related and unrelated. They also raised several animals, including cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, cows, hogs, goats, sheep, and horses. Arvadie was a humble, loving, kind, passionate, and helpful man that never knew a stranger. He was devoted to the Lord and was a wonderful friend to many in the Hale Center community and abroad. Arvadie was preceded in death by his first wife, Mercy D. Jenkings; two sons, Burnell Bumpy and James; one daughter, Mary Nell Stephens; and two brothers, Alberna and Areda. He leaves to cherish his memories and legacy his loving wife of 52 years, Lee Vester; one son, Clifford Lee (Ruthie); two daughters, Luella Taylor (Kenny) and Betty Colbert; 21 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives, church family, and friends. Celebration of life services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Hale Center. Interment will follow at Hale Center Cemetery under the direction of Griffin Mortuary.