‘June’ Ross Thompson, 83
Funeral services for Vonda “June” Ross Thompson, 83, of Ava, were held Sept. 7, 2019, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava with Pastor Marvin Loftin officiating. Mrs. Thompson died Sept. 2 at her home with her loving family by her side.
She was born June 7, 1936, in Douglas County, the daughter of Clarence and Ada Opal Walker King. Born in the middle of the Great Depression, she was raised to appreciate everything she was given and to use it to the very last drop. And she did.
She fell in love early in life and married a local businessman, Jesse Ross. She was widowed young, but her strong work ethic did not let her stress. Instead, she worked hard and prided herself for always having a hot meal on the table for her five children and whoever else might wander in. She was known for her good cooking, especially her blackberry and gooseberry cobblers and her apple pie.
After successfully raising her children, she remarried Gene Thompson and lived in the Goodhope area until Gene’s final days. After his death, she chose to move back to Ava to be closer to her kids and grandkids.
Mrs. Thompson never quit working and often talked about her days spent “working the belt” at Rawlings, wrestling with shoulder pads and packing football helmets, gloves and baseballs. She worked with several Ozark Countians at Rawlings and retired from the company after 29 years. She often had pain but never complained because she was thankful for the job.
She loved summetime and enjoyed gardening and canning and taking care of her chickens. She passed her love of gardening and preserving to any person who would take the time to learn from her.
She also loved picking blackberries and always found some that were “bigger than her thumb.” But because she was very petite, they all were bound to be bigger than her thumb.
She had a fierce desire to protect her family and could kill a snake with a hoe quicker than most could kill one with a gun.
She always opened her home to everyone. She was truly one of a kind.
She is survived by all of her children: Randy Ross, Larry Ross, Calvin Ross, Jan Cox and husband Joe, and Janet Claussen; two stepchildren, J.D. Ross and wife Judy, and Joan Allen and husband Larry; two daughters-in-laws, Pam and Sandy; and her grandchildren, Jess Harley and husband Jonathan, Sarah Peterson and husband Tommy, Jalyn Miller and husband Nicholas, Colten Ross and Koleder Ross and wife Lindsay; five great-grandchildren, Jentry, Jaxton and Jennings Harley and Ryder and Mackenzie Miller; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands, Jesse Ross and Gene Thompson; a son-in-law, Garry; and siblings Ralph, Lloyd and Donald King, Virginia “Sis” King and Minnie Potter.
Burial was in the Ava Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association.
Online condolences may be expressed at clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.
Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, directors.