A Celebration of Life Service was held at noon on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada for Betty Rose Thompson, 97, of Grenada, who went peacefully to be with her Lord on Monday, March 18, at her current residence, Providence Assisted Living in Grenada. Betty was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park in Grenada. The family received friends from 11 a.m. until service time on Thursday, March 21, at McKibben and Guinn.
Mrs. Thompson was born on Oct. 28, 1926, the daughter of the late Milton Henry and the late Rachel Jackson Rose of Gore Springs. As the only daughter with five brothers, Betty often recalled spending countless hours with her maternal grandparents. She loved being with her grandparents and how they impacted her life. After she was graduated from Gore Springs High School, she completed Business School at Grenada College. She was very proud of this accomplishment and spoke fondly of how her grandparents made it possible by helping her fund this endeavor.
Betty was offered a job at Binswanger Mirror, a division of Binswanger Glass, shortly after it opened the doors of this historic plant in Grenada. This plant would go on to make history for Binswanger Glass, but for Betty it was where she met her lifelong friend, Ms. Jessie Brannon. The two never missed an afternoon coffee until Jessie’s death.
Betty met and married Bedford Frank Thompson in 1950, and was a devoted and loving wife until his death in 2002. The two shared countless memories and wonderful experiences together with their beloved daughter, Gail Thompson Collins. Betty enjoyed 50 plus years of marriage and lovingly fulfilled her vows even caring for Bedford for many of the last years of his life.
Betty did not enjoy crowds of people or small talk, but was fiercely loyal. She loved learning and reading and the beauty of God’s creation — the outdoors, birds, flowers and plants. She was the owner and operator of Long’s Flower Shop in Grenada and was known for her arrangements and bow-making abilities. She was a member of Lakewood Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years and did the flower ministry for the church. The church always had beautiful wreaths on the doors if Betty was able. She loved her Lord and served her church well.
To know Betty at all was to know that second only to the love of her husband and daughter was the love of her two grandsons, which she fondly called, “her boys.” They were her world. One could say that the impact that her own grandparents had on Betty’s life made her an intentional grandparent. The love she gave her two grandsons and seven great grandchildren was unmatched.
Betty was reunited with her husband, Bedford Thompson, who preceded her in death as well as her parents and three brothers, Milton Henry Rose Jr., Jack Rose and Bob Rose.
Survivors include, two brothers, Bill Rose (Carolyn) and Ben Rose (Mary); sisters-in-law, Floyce Rose and Mary Edna Rose; her beloved daughter, Gail Thompson Collins (James); two grandsons, Matthew Collins (Amberly) and Hays Collins (Brooke); seven great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Betty will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be directed in Betty’s name to The MIND Center at UMMC, Development Accounting 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
