Mary Thomson

Mary Hall Turner Thomson, 87, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2009, at Brighton Gardens in Winston-Salem, NC. Mary was born at home in Miami, Florida, on February 28, 1922, to Dr. and Mrs. John Calvin Turner (Ella Hall). Mary made her best friend for life, Randy Thomson, at the age of 5. The Turner and Thomson families being lifelong friends, Mary and Randy grew up together at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Miami and were married at the Turner home following Randy's return from military service in Europe on August 21, 1945. Over the years Mary and Randy made their home in Southern Pines (NC), Miami, Key Biscayne (FL), Coral Gables (FL), Asheboro (NC), and Winston-Salem (NC). Mary and Randy moved to Key Biscayne in 1951, and had a wonderful life there raising their four children and being active in the small island community, moving in 1970 to Coral Gables. Mary was an outstanding student and received a superior education. She graduated in 1943 from Duke University as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. A lifelong Presbyterian, Mary was a gifted Bible scholar and served as a teacher of Bible in several churches throughout her life (Westminster Presbyterian, First Presbyterian of Miami, Granada Presbyterian in Coral Gables, and First Presbyterian in Asheboro). Mary retired from the Dade County Public Schools after many years as a hospital/homebound teacher. Lovingly invested in students with special needs, she helped countless children at Variety Children's Hospital continue their education while recovering from serious illness or injury. Mary served as a loving and encouraging teacher to a number of children hospitalized with polio during an era when the cause and outcome of this disease was uncertain. Mary was devoted to home and family. She loved children and gardens, and had a gift for helping them grow to their potential and bloom in their unique ways. The last surviving member of her family, Mary was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her sister Laura Bennett Turner Fain, and her brothers Dr. John Calvin Turner, Jr., and Dr. Thomas Ross Bennett Turner. Also predeceasing her were her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. William MacKeen Thomson (Mary Louise Wardlaw). She is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Randolph Murray Thomson; their four children and their spouses: Dr. William MacKeen Thomson (Dr. Catherine Luh) of St Louis (MO), Laura Thomson Hemphill (James) of Winston-Salem, Susan Thomson Batten (William) of Asheboro, and Jean Thomson Baker (Richard) of Naples (FL); her grandchildren: Tim Thomson (Kristy), Julie Thomson Hagedorn (Scott), Gregory Thomson (Bethany), Kevin MacKeen Thomson, John Randolph Hemphill (Melinda), Lee Bennett Hemphill (Maegan), Laura Turner Hemphill, Thomas Holt Batten, Randolph Hall Batten, Sarah Baker Valdivia, and Leah Mary Baker; eleven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins. Mary lived a beautiful life. From a child, her faith was strong. She was a gentle person with a forgiving spirit. She was loved by all who knew her. Funeral services for Mary Thomson will be on Saturday, December 19, at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Asheboro, with Rev. Connie Weaver and Rev. Paul Ridolfi officiating. The family will receive friends following the memorial service in the church fellowship hall. A private interment will take place prior to the service. The family expresses their profound admiration and appreciation to the loving caregivers and staff at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in Winston-Salem, to Kelly Shoemaker of Physicians Eldercare of Winston-Salem, to Candace Boyette of Duke University Department of Neurology, and to Hospice of Winston-Salem. Each one of you has brightened Mary's life in the last year in ways her family will treasure forever. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Thornwell Home for Children, P.O. Box 60, Clinton, South Carolina, 29325-0060. Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro is in charge of arrangements.