Mr. Robert Lee Thompson, Sr., 100, passed away at Forsyth Medical Center on Thursday, January 7, 2016. He was born on October 28, 1915 in Lancaster, SC to the late James Thompson and Ethel "Nannie" McIlwain Thompson.

He graduated from Lancaster High School. He retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company both as a seasonal and part-time employee for over 40 years, and he worked as a gardener for the Hill and Cannon families.

He was a charter member of Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church where he served as Class Leader.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Mary Hall Thompson, and four children: Christopher Thompson, Aaron Donnell Thompson, Barbara Ann Carter, and Robert Lee Thompson, Jr.

Survivors include his children: Willie Thompson, Charles R. Thompson, Portia Ellerbe (Ron), Gloria Robbson, Jimmie Thompson, and Ronald Thompson; son-in-law, Raymond Carter; daughter-in-law, Karolyn Thompson; sisters- and brothers-in-law: Alma and George Clement, Lillie Ruth Gibson, Marion and Helen Hall, Vernon and Shirley Hall, Florence Brown; 15 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, special cousins, and his Goler Church Family.

A Funeral Service of Love will be held at Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church at 1:30 P.M., Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will greet friends thirty minutes prior to the service at the church.

For a copy of the funeral program, click here