Billie Sue Thompson

BILLIE SUE THOMPSON ASHEVILLE - In memory of Billie Sue Thompson, born January 10, 1947 in Houston, TX and raised by her parents, Bill and Grace Pietsch. Dearest wife and mother to two loving sons she went to be with the Lord March 19, 2014 at home in Asheville, NC. Our sadness is comforted by the joy of knowing she is with Jesus. She was dearly and passionately loved by all her family, her sons, Chuck and Nate, her daughters-in-law, Joi and Kelly, along with her six grandchildren: Jack, Anna, Joseph, Peter, Jordan and Rose. She married Charles S. Thompson on June 1, 1968, after graduating summa cum laude from Mid-South Bible College, now Crichton College, Memphis, TN. In 1970, after the birth of their first son, Chuck, they served in ministry with Trans World Radio in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Their second son, Nate, was born in Bonaire in 1973. While serving, Billie Sue wrote radio scripts for "˜Music and You', a late night radio program, and taught English and reading in the missionary school. For seven years she served on the mission field and then returned to the United States settling in Wheaton, IL, a suburb of Chicago. She then attended Wheaton College Graduate School where she got a Masters degree in Communications. After getting her degree in 1981, she was an editorial assistant to Karen Mains for the "˜Chapel of the Air' radio program. In 1986, she joined Scripture Press as editor of "˜Freeway' youth magazine. She was also an adjunct instructor of English at the College of Dupage for several years until she joined the Communications faculty of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in 1990. As an English professor, teaching, writing and editing courses she found her true calling and made an impact on numerous students over fifteen years. Also, she enjoyed being an advisor to the Moody yearbook staff of "˜The Arch', which during her tenure, once won the national Pacemaker award for excellence in collegiate yearbook publishing. In addition, she became a tremendous influence on many young women accompanying her husband Charles, the conductor for the Moody Women's Concert Choir and Handbell Ensemble, on their national and international choir tours. In her last years at Moody, as Associate Dean, she presided over the academic program "˜The First Year Experience'. In 2005, she retired with Charles to Asheville, NC. There she continued to enjoy singing, writing and editing several books. As a member in the choir of the First Baptist Church of Asheville and the Asheville Symphony Chorus she absolutely loved singing and being involved. Billie Sue has been described by everyone as a sweet, loving and caring person who made a huge impact in many peoples' lives. We have been overwhelmed and overjoyed at the immense outpouring of hundreds of memorials from students, faculty, friends and family about the impact she had in their lives as a friend, teacher, mentor, and role model. As our wife, mother, and grandmother we simply knew her as the sweetest, most kind person in the world, always quick to smile and give a good laugh or turn a listening ear. For this fact we are very sorry for the loss of her presence in our lives, but we rejoice at the work of her hands and mind all around us and rest in the knowledge that her spirit is in heaven with Jesus. Please help us to celebrate the life of this wonderful woman - Billie Sue Thompson. We love you and we will miss you; Your loving family, the Thompsons. She is survived by her three loving sisters and their families: Shirley & Bill Bonvillain; Jean & Doug Prensner; and Dorothy & Bob Porter as well as many nieces and nephews & grand nieces and nephews. On the Thompson side, she is survived by her caring brothers and sisters-in-law and their families: Nat & Joanne Thompson; Mary Margaret Montgomery; Bill & Peggy Thompson; and Genie Gaines as well as many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and even a great grand nephew. A memorial service to honor her memory will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2014 in First Baptist Church, Asheville. Any memorial gifts may be given in her honor to the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago or to the music ministry of First Baptist Church of Asheville. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Thompson's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com. A memorial service to honor her memory will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2014 in First Baptist Church, Asheville. Any memorial gifts may be given in her honor to the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago or to the music ministry of First Baptist Church of Asheville.