Mary Edith Butler Thompson of Huntsville passed away May 3, 2024. Born in Boaz to G. C. and Vera Butler, Mrs. Thompson graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in microbiology. During her clinical training in Birmingham, she met Ira Duke Thompson, a young medical student from Forrest Home, AL while they were caring for the same patient. Following graduation in 1954, they married and moved to Mobile for Dr. Thompson’s residency. The following year they relocated to Huntsville where he began his medical practice.
Mrs. Thompson was a wonderful wife and mother who enjoyed gardening and taking care of her family. She loved music from a young age and grew up playing the organ in her church. Mrs. Thompson played the double bass in the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra for many years and was an active member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she was instrumental in the purchase of the church’s current pipe organ and cymbalstern.
Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dr. Ira Duke Thompson; daughter, Mary Hart Thompson Brown; son, Ira Duke Thompson, Jr. and three brothers, Ralph N. Butler, The Rev. Samuel A. Butler and Marvin E. Butler.
Survivors include daughters, Lane Thompson Herrington (James Alton, Jr) and Dr. Melinda Thompson; grandchildren, Blaire Glover Kotsikopoulos (Demetrios Alexandros), Ruth van Pelt Maulden (J.J.), Mary Margaret Brown Lankford (Boyd) and James Cameron Brown; great grand children, Artistea Kotsikopoulos, Emma Ely, Cyrus Maulden, John Luke Maulden, Mary Harmon Lankford, William Lankford, Henry Lankford and Judson Lankford and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024 in Maple Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Tara Bulger officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the music department at First Presbyterian Church, 307 Gates Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801.
