Ray Charles Thompson

Ray Charles Thompson was born on July 29th, 1955, to Osie B. Furlough Williams and Ellis Thompson in Strong, Arkansas. He made his heavenly debut on March 16th, 2024.

Ray accepted Christ at an early age and attended Shiloh Baptist Church in Strong, AR. He later transferred his membership to Holy ghost Love Headquarters in Smackover under the direction of Pastor Murphy Joe Aaron, Sr., until his death. Ray was an active, vocal, and dedicated member, becoming a Sunday School deacon and Superintendent.

Ray is a graduate of Gardner High School. He worked for Pilgrim Pride/Con Agra in El Dorado for a long time until the business closed its doors locally, and he later worked at Foster Farms until he retired.

Ray was united in holy matrimony to Linda Aaron Brown on August 3rd, 1981. Ray really loved his family. He had a country style about him. He wore cowboy shirts and boots, loved fishing, being on his boat, and riding his four-wheeler, and was a jack of all trades. He loved mowing yards and took great pride in his work. He also dabbled in some electrical, plumbing, and carpentry work.

Like all of us, Ray had his struggles, but he was not a quitter but a fighter. Ray celebrated 25 years of sobriety in November of 2023 and was a mentor and sponsor in his Narcotics Anonymous/Alcohol Anonymous program.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert Earl Williams and Keith Greer, three sisters, Angela Thompson, Earlene Robinson, and Cheri Newton, and his step-daughter of over 40 years, Dr. Andrea Rheanaye Brown.

Ray leaves to cherish the memories of his wife, Linda Thompson; his daughter, Sylvia Norman, of Little Rock, AR; and stepson, Zidon Brown II, of El Dorado, AR. Two stepdaughters, Linda Brown of El Dorado, AR, and Deneshia Brown of Camden, AR. Nine brothers: Terry Newton, Gerald Newton, and Aluster Hamilton, all of Strong, AR; Eddie Earl Thompson of Fort Smith, AR; Grady Roy Thompson, Donald Thompson, and Kim aka 'Fluffy' Thompson, all of Crossett, AR, Dennis (Rosalind) Thompson of Dallas, TX and Terry Thompson of Houston, TX. Two sisters, Ethel Rogers of Houston, TX, and Delshia Thompson of Crossett, AR. Five brothers-in-law, Matthew Aaron of Button Willow, CA; Raymond (Lola) Aaron of Bakersfield, CA; Donnie Ray Aaron, Sr and Murphy (Wanda) Aaron, Sr. of El Dorado, AR; and James Edward Aaron of Texarkana, TX. Seven sisters-in-law, Lena Kincey, Jan (Lee) Gusby, Sarah Stephens, and Felesia (Jeffrey) Billings of El Dorado, AR, Bonnie Williams of Fort Worth, TX, Angela Russ of Camden, AR, and Martha Williams McMurrian of Little Rock, AR and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends and extended family.