Joyce Marie Thompson
May 25, 1928 - November 2, 2023
Joyce Marie Thompson (Nelson) went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 2, 2023, at the age of 95. She passed in her COGIR senior residence apartment in Rohnert Park, California with her family at her bedside. Her death came because of a severe fall complicated by a failing heart. She was born on May 25, 1928, to William "Ray" and Aileen Nelson in Petaluma, California and was the youngest of three siblings, her sister Donna and her brother Randall nicknamed "Bud" (killed at sea in World War II at age 20).

Joyce's mother Aileen taught in a one room grammar school and her father Ray, with only three years of school, worked in the furniture business and carpeted floors. Her parents were Christians and attended the Central Christian Church in Santa Rosa, California where she accepted the Lord as her Savior at age ten and then was baptized in Santa Rosa Creek on Calistoga Road. Her first six years of school were in the same grammar school where her mother used to teach. From there, on to Santa Rosa Junior High, then Santa Rosa High School, and finally graduating from Santa Rosa Junior College in 1948. Jerry Thompson entered Joyce's life on her parent's front porch during a young adult Sunday school party. One evening when Jerry was driving Joyce home after dating awhile, they knew it was the beginning of their great romance. Jerry and Joyce married on July 23, 1950. Shortly after, Jerry was drafted into the Army on October 6, 1950, and was stationed in Augusta, Georgia where Joyce joined him in March 1951. They lived there for the remainder of his service, then moved back to California. Their daughter Kathy was born in 1952 (while in Georgia) and their son Chris was born in 1954, in Santa Rosa. Joyce and Jerry were deeply devoted to serving the Lord while attending first the Santa Rosa Christian Church, and then later Hessel Church which they loved so dearly in Sebastopol, California. They both sang in the church choir and made many cherished lifelong enduring friendships there. She will always be remembered for her love of being a Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, friend, word puzzle and game solver, craft maker, and will forever be remembered for being a "giver of hugs". She was generous to her family and friends and many organizations. She was petite in stature with a giant innocent heart.

Joyce's family would include her husband Gerald Glen Thompson (deceased), daughter Kathy Deiner (Charles) and son Chris Thompson (Renee), grandchildren Melinda Burns (Dan), Matt Deiner (Pauline), Andrea Burgess (Brandon), and Phillip Thompson (Stephanie), great-grandchildren Allison Burrescia (Ryan), Debra Deiner (deceased), Emily and Kylee Deiner, Donovan and Aidan Burns, Annabelle and Lyla Burgess, Juliana and Mackenzie Thompson and great-great-granddaughter Madison Burrescia, her nephew Randy Beetle (Cindy) and grandniece Christy Millert (Ryan). She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Donna Beetle and her brother Randall "Bud " Nelson.

A memorial service will be held on November 16th, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Hessel Church 5060 Hessel Ave, Sebastopol, California.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hessel Church, Mt. Gilead, and Samaritan's Purse.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Press Democrat from Nov. 11 to Nov. 15, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Thompson

4 Entries

Clifford D. Hurst

February 9, 2024

I just recently heard about Joyce's passing and so I am late in sending me condolences about her but I would still like to say a few words about her.

Joyce sent me some support a few times in my work as a missionary here in the Philippines in 2021. Even though it was a small amount it meant so much to me because I knew she cared about the work of the Lord and my being a missionary in the work I was called to do in the Philippines!

It also connected me with her. She is a great blessing to me that I will never forget! "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42).

Clifford D. Hurst
Missionary to the Philippines
February, 2024

Suzy Reel

January 5, 2024

I want to send my most sincere condolences to Joyce's family, especially Kathy and Chris. Joyce and my Mom, LaVerne Gleason Wetch met at Santa Rosa High School and became lifelong friends. When I was walking home from elementary school, often times, I would stop by and visit Joyce. She was always such a kind and loving person. We continued to keep in touch after my Mom's passing in 2010. I just learned of Joyces passing, as my Christmas card and personal letter to her were returned. She will always have a dear place in my heart. Prayers for comfort to her family. Suzy Wetch Reel, Merlin, Oregon.

Traci Burns

November 16, 2023

Joyce was pure joy. The moment I met her, she gave me a huge hug and welcomed me to the extended family. Her smile and laugh were infectious. Her bright light shone through all she did and will live on in her extended family -- a lasting legacy of many generations. My condolences to all who knew Joyce, and thank you for letting me consider her my honorary "little gram".

Victoria Thomas

November 11, 2023

I had an honor of serving Joyce while working at COGIR in Rohnert Park before I left for another senior care facility in Santa Rosa almost a year ago. Thank you for allowing the current and former staff at COGIR to be a part of her.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results