Shirley Knight Thompson, age 88, of Ormond Beach, FL, went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 27th after a long battle with heart disease.

Shirley Ann was born on May 19, 1936, to Faye Blackmon Knight and Andrew Jackson Knight in Lancaster, S.C. She was one of 8 children. She graduated from Buford High School in 1954.

Shirley married Nicholas Roddey Thompson of Lancaster S.C. on August 29, 1954. They had four children together, Brenda, Mike, Nicholas (Tommy), and Paul. They were married until 1971.

Shirley was a loving, encouraging, supporting, and generous mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was a wise counselor, an understanding friend, a sacrificial giver, and a constant partner in prayer.

Her love for the Lord was evident in her personal faith, her commitment to the church, her pursuit of Scripture, her dedication to prayer, her zeal for missions, and her care for others.

Shirley enjoyed her plants and flowers, birdwatching (especially for cardinals), and sewing. She also loved to read a good book and watch a good basketball game. Her greatest joys however were simply found in the company of her family.

Shirley was long-time member of Derita Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. where she served as a preschool Sunday School teacher and later a Sr. Adult ladies' teacher. She was also a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, and First Baptist Church in Jensen Beach, FL. In her final years, she enjoyed the fellowship and worship of Tomoka Christian Church in Ormond Beach, FL.

She is survived by her younger sister, Nancy K. Williams. She is also survived by her four children, Brenda Stringfellow (Wally), Michael Thompson (Teri), Nicholas Thompson, Jr. (Ann), and Paul Thompson (Cecilia), 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews whom she loved.

Services will be held at Tomoka Christian Church, Ormond Beach, FL on February 22nd at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the General Missions Fund of Tomoka Christian Church, a cause dear to her heart.