NS-63-16

Obituary

Jimmie Faye Thompson (October 30, 1933 to May 6, 2021). Jimmie was born in Quitaque, Texas to Jim and Ruby Witcher. Like many families during the Great Depression, the Witchers traveled to California in the mid-1930s. They moved with the crops between the Imperial Valley, the San Joaquin Valley and the Salinas Valley. After a quick return to Texas, the family moved back to California and settled in Shafter in 1948.
Jimmie graduated from Shater High School in 1951. During her years at Shafter High, she was involved in several activities, including being a Girls State delegate in 1950, recipient of the Babe Ruth athletic award, and was selected Kern County Cotton Maid. Following graduation, she attended Bakersfield College.
In 1953, Jimmie married her high school sweetheart, B. Jack Thompson. Upon Jack’s discharge from the US Army in 1955, the couple returned from Bad Kreuznach, Germany to Shafter and remained there until 2014.
Following the birth of their three children, Douglas (1954), David (1955) and Tracy (1956), Jimmie dedicated her energy to activities that revolved around her children, including Cub Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and Job’s Daughters. She was very supportive of Jack’s trucking business and was eager to help with community activities. Her “girl time” was highlighted by being a member of the 21 Club, which was comprised of several long-time friends in Shafter. Jimmie became an active member of the Congregational Church, where she also sang in the choir. She was an accomplished seamstress, however her major hobby was genealogy, and had traced family roots dating back to the 1700s. After her children were grown, she worked as a bookkeeper for several years until she retired.
Jimmie was known for her devotion to God, her family, her friends and her community, as well as being tough as nails and a positive role model when confronted with life’s challenges. She loved her grandchildren more than anything and was deeply involved in all their activities. Her greatest accomplishment was her family. She has left a void that cannot be filled.
Jimmie was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Ruby Witcher, husband Jack Thompson, and her brother Dick Witcher. She is survived by her brother Gary, children Douglas (Katie), David (Cindy) and Tracy Callahan, five grandchildren and spouses, and five great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held at Peter’s Funeral Home in Shafter on Monday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Graveside services will be Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 at Shafter Memorial Park, followed by a memorial service at 2:30, held at Valley Bible Church, 350 Pine Street, Shafter.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Congregational Bible Church in Shafter.