Insurance Man
Joe S. Thompson Dies; Rites Held

Services were held Saturday in Dannel Funeral Chapel for Joe Sidney Thompson, 52, owner of R.L. Hall Insurance Agency, who died Friday morning in a Sherman hospital.  Rev. Richard A. Braun, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiated, assisted by Rev. James W. Garrard, rector of the St. Stephens Episcopal Church.  Burial was in West Hill Cemetery.
Born August 3, 1919, in Dallas, Mr. Thompson was the son of Mrs. Thelma Jo Dyer Thompson and the late George Sidney Thompson.  He was a graduate of Sherman High School, attended Virginia Military Institute, the University of Texas and Austin College.  He was married to Bette Hall May 14, 1942, in Sherman
He was a World War II veteran, serving as a flight officer in the Air Force.  He was a charter member of the Sherman Optimist Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, served as a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church, was president of the Huddle Youth Center, and served on the zoning board.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bette Hall Thompson; his mother, Mrs. George Sidney Thompson of Sherman; three daughters, Mrs. Larry W. Langley of Austin, Mrs. Richard A. Vaughan of Sherman, and Margaret Ellen Thompson of Sherman; two granddaughters, and three nephews.
Pallbearers were J. Logan Hall, William R. Bryant, Marshall Jones Jr., Roy Sewell, Rayburn M. Nall, Tom B. Moore, Tom M. Helms and Read Omohundro.  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. John Hardy, Jack Birge, Tom Newcomb, Calvin Kimbrough and Tom Jefferson.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

"Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars."

Bette Hall Thompson's earthbound journey came to a peaceful end on June 26, 2011 as she was surrounded by those who loved her.  She was born on February 18, 1921, daughter of R.L. and Margaret Ellen "Nel" Hall in the home of her grandparents at 206 Jones St.  She had many fond memories of her childhood while growing up at 820 S. Crockett St.  She was very proud of having been born and raised in Sherman.  After graduating from Sherman High School in 1938, she attended and graduated from the University of Texas in 1942.  She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.  A year later she married Joe Sidney Thompson on May 15, 1943.  Their marriage blessed them with 3 daughters, Sydney Thompson Langley, Terence Hall Vaughan, and Margaret Ellen Clendenin.  "Meme" was a wonderful, fun loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Her family was the love of her life, and some of her happiest moments were at the annual family Thanksgiving get-togethers at the Elkins Lake home of her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Tom Nelms.
She spent many hours sitting at her kitchen table in her beloved home on McGee Street looking out at the Japonica bush (which she transplanted from her birth place on Jones Street) while sharing stories of her childhood and college days.  She fondly remembered as a young girl hopping on running boards, climbing trees, and skating down Steadman Hill.  In college her nickname was "Flower Pot" as she was often seen putting a flower behind her ear on the way to class (Shakespeare being her favorite).  She lit up the room when singing 'When It's Tea Time at the Tavern", a song she and her soul mate, Rayburn Nall wrote while driving to Sherman from Austin for Christmas vacation.
Bette loved to dance (especially if Ol' Blue Eyes was singing), and classified her date according to if he was a good or bad dancer.
She looked forward to her weekly bridge games with dear friends as well as shopping at  "Neimans, Saks and TJ Maxx."  She usually ended her day watching "Wheel of Fortune."  Offer her "Meme's juice" or sweets and you would be her friend forever.  In her later life, she enjoyed traveling with fellow Longhorns in Europe and the Caribbean.  She loved to show off her purchases from her trips to San Miguel de Allende with Roberta Nall.
When she received her diagnosis of cancer one year ago, she accepted it wit h the attitude that she would do whatever she was told to do as far as the treatment was concerned, and she indeed did without complaint.  She has been an inspiration to both young and old.
She was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, a charter member of the Sherman Service League, Current Review DAR and life member of the Texas Exes.  
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Margaret Hall Nelms; son-in-law, Larry W. Langley; grandsons, Ross, Rob and William Marshall Langley.
She is survived by daughters, Sydney, Terence and Meg; son-in-law, David Clendenin and grandchildren: Lindsey Langley Sartain; Evan Langley Westerburg; Shannon Lynn Vaughan; Libby Vaughan Naifeh; Todd Vaughan; Jefferson David Clendenin; Joe Chesley Clendenin; and Maggie Clendenin, as well as 6 great-grandchildren.
Honorary pallbearers were Todd Vaughan; Jay, Joe and David Clendenin; Russ Sartain; Mark Westerburg; Todd Naifeh; Tommy, Dick and Rob Nelms; Dr. Ray Thomas; Dr. Bill Drake; Rim Nall and John Hall
A memorial service to celebrate Bette's life was held at Covenant Presbyterian Church on June 28.  Officiating was Rev. Dr. John Williams of Austin College.
Memorial donations in her name may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church, Meals on Wheels, Sherman Ex-Students Association, Home Hospice of Grayson County and Sherman Education Foundation.
Arrangements were under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home.

"All good things have to come to an end."