Joseph Madison Thompson

Mr. Joseph Madison Thompson, 79, of Rayle, entered into rest on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Echols Personal Care Home in Rayle Mr. Thompson was born in Raleigh, N.C., and was the son of the late James Thompson and Lois Huff Thompson. Mr. Thompson was born in Raleigh, N.C., and was the son of the late James Thompson and Lois Huff Thompson. He graduated from Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh, then graduated from Duke University in 1966 with a BS in Mathematics. He then did some graduate work at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After college, he hiked the Appalachian Trail while waiting to be drafted. Mr. Thompson was an Army veteran and served his country at the Pentagon. After serving his country, he was a self employed cabinet maker doing home remodeling in Canton, NY, where he raised his daughter- and was a very skilled wood worker and cabinet maker. He moved to Rayle in 2001, and lived with his cousin Ken Thompson, who passed away Dec. 28, 2022. Ken and Joe enjoyed long bike rides and were supporters of the Washington-Wilkes Historical Museum and Civil War Roundtable. Joe was also a gardener and had wonderful vegetable and flower gardens. He continued to grow plants while at Echols Personal Care Home. He enjoyed playing chess, doing crossword puzzles, and was an avid reader. Mr. Thompson is survived by his daughter, Alexandra T. Devendra, and husband, Ganesh, of Portland, OR; two grandchildren, Nalani and Dhilan Devendra; and one brother, Jim Thompson, and wife Sharon, of Charlotte, NC. Memorial services will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Stevens Grove Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stevens Grove Baptist Church, c/o George Smith, 190 Danbury Court, Athens, GA 30605. Hopkins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Joseph M. Thompson.