CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Mary Lavonne Thompson, 79, Carl Junction, Mo., died on Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin after a long illness.

She was born Feb. 16, 1932, in Lamine, Mo., daughter of Joe and Mary Ellis (Stephens) Cramer. She was a homemaker and was vice president of ETCO Specialty Products of Girard for many years. She attended Girard United Methodist Church. She moved to the Joplin area six years ago from Prescott, Ariz., after living in the Girard and Pittsburg areas most of her adult life.

Lavonne’s greatest joy was taking care of her family, especially spending time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was known for her compassion for others, her sense of humor and her desire to help others. Her interests included time with friends, bird watching, golf, hiking, reading and traveling. After retiring, Lavonne and Ernie enjoyed traveling around Arizona as well as going on cruises to Greece, Hawaii and South America.

She married Ernest R. Thompson on Feb. 21, 1953, in San Diego, Calif. He survives.

Other survivors include her children, Ernie Thompson and his wife, Susan, of Parsons, Nancy Thompson of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Angie Darlington of Girard, Mike Thompson of Broken Arrow, Okla., Daniel “Danny” Thompson of Carl Junction, Mo., and Jenny Thompson of Pittsburg; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Sam Cramer of Missouri; and two sisters, Wanda Finley of Bishop, Calif., and Marlene Grissum of Booneville, Mo.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six siblings.

A memorial service will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Girard United Methodist Church with the Rev. Cole officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

The family requests memorials to the ALS Society, Audubon Society, or Freeman Palliative Care Unit, Joplin.