Mary Helen Thompson

Services for Mary Thompson, 79 of Knoxville, will be Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Interment will follow at the Chariton Funeral Home. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 6, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in care of Mary’s family.

The service will be livestreamed through the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/mary-thompson-aug-2022

Mary Helen Shriver was born to Ivan and Hannah “Babe” (Watson) Shriver on February 6, 1943, in Chariton, Iowa. She grew up alongside her siblings in Chariton, where she graduated with the class of 1961. She then went on to graduate from nursing school in 1972.

Mary met Terry Thompson in the emergency room after a coal mining explosion. The two were later married on February 14, 1974. The couple had 48 wonderful years together.

Mary was a hard worker. She worked at many different establishments: Chariton Hospital, waitressed at Shorty’s Steakhouse (where she met Michael Landon), and Knoxville Hospital and Clinic. Her passion was always nursing, and she excelled at it.

Not only was Mary a nurse outside of the home, she also was a caretaker for her parents. The family was blessed to have her bring them home to care for them.

Mary had a talent for designing her own patterns for crocheting afghans, needle points, and quilts. She was also great with gardening and just loved her flowers. She also loved dancing and singing and was even on American Bandstand.

Mary loved people. She really enjoyed class reunions and family gatherings. She was just a good all-around lady just like her mother. She dearly loved her children and grandchildren even those she didn’t get to see very often.

Mary passed away August 31, 2022. She will be dearly missed by her husband of 48 years, Terry Thompson; children: Rod (Diana) Mumford, Larry Mumford, Kenna Sloan, and Brady Thompson; stepchildren, Terry (Amanda) Thompson Jr. and LeeAnne (Rich) Dobson; 21 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren (1 more on the way); furdog, Morty; many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Babe Shriver; brothers: Larry Shriver, Garry Shriver, and Tub Shriver; son-in-law, Stan Sloan; and daughter-in-law, Cathy Mumford.