Rettie Thompson, born in Poplar, NC, passed away February 24th, 2025, at home in New Castle, DE, at 92 years young.

She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Thomas G. Thompson, her parents, Moses and Geneva Lee Edwards; stepmother Georgia Edwards, her siblings, R.C. Edwards, Daisy Peterson, and J.D. Edwards, all of NC.

She is survived by daughters Karin Dempsey and Brenda (Joe) Demanczyk; grandchildren Jessica (Leslie) Donovan, William (Angela) Dempsey, Emilia Demanczyk with Jessica (Mike) Mowbray, and Joseph and Chris Demanczyk; Great-Grandchildren Jessica, Rebecca, and Trey Donovan, all of Delaware; sisters Mary Edwards, Carolyn, Paulette, and Treva, and brothers Sherill, Donny, Elvis, Danny, and Randy all of NC and TN, and many nieces and nephews.

Her early years in the Appalachian Mountains were hard after her mother's passing when she was five. She learned to cook cornbread on the wood stove, among so many other things from her grandmother. Around age 13, she was needed at home to care for her grandparents with her sister Mary, but while she didn't go past the 8th grade, she was smart and full of common sense. She would move to Pennsylvania after her grandparents' deaths where she met the love of her life, Tommy, moved to Delaware, and was married for 49 years until his death in 2008.

She worked part-time as a morning newspaper deliverer with a car route of over 300 customers for the News Journal, where she helped save a customer's life and was presented with a Citizenship Award. She went on to work as a bus driver with Davis Bus Company, a Shaklee Distributer, buffet hostess at Harrington Casino and Racetrack, and Food Demonstrator at both Sam's Club and Costco for 10 years each, finally retiring after the Covid shutdown at age 88. She sold handmade crafts at craft shows for many years, bowled in a league, and was a retired volunteer member of the South Bowers Ladies Auxiliary where she was Treasurer for 3 years. But mostly she was an amazing wife and mother who always put her family first. It was well known there was little that she couldn't do, and the rest she did to perfection.

Her and her husband lived in Sheridan Square, Wilmington, DE, and had a place in Leisure Point for summer weekends, then South Bowers Beach where they first retired, and finally New Castle, DE. They managed many trips south to North Carolina to visit families with occasional trips to Williamsburg, Atlantic City, and Las Vegas. After her husband passed, she remained active and enjoyed visiting Delaware Park, went with her daughter Brenda's family on summer vacations to visit family and Ocean City beaches, local concerts and shows, and a cruise to Bermuda and the Bahamas.

If you ever met her even once, she would have a beautiful smile and a kind word to say to you with just a little southern accent. She appreciated hard work, a warm hug, and felt blessed for every year the Lord gave her.
A special thanks goes out to Accent Care Hospice (Christina & Janel) who have given such loving care during the last 8 months. A particular special thanks to Angela and Will for caring for and staying with her, that allowed her to stay in her home.

You are invited to attend a viewing Thursday, February 27th, at 6-8pm at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home 1400 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE. The services will be at Old Swedes Church 606 N Church St, Wilmington, DE, Friday, Feb 28th, at 1pm. Entombment will be Tuesday, March 4th, at Gracelawn Cemetery 11am, with her husband.