Naomi “Ruth” Thompson

Naomi “Ruth” Thompson, 84, of Creston, passed away of cancer on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at The Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. Visitation will be at Powers Funeral Home in Creston from 2-7 p.m. June 2 with no family present. A family graveside service will be 11 a.m. July 15 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Afton, officiated by Pastor Mary O’Riley. Following the service at noon, the family would like all friends and family to join them for a Celebration of Life at the Cromwell Congregational United Church of Christ.

Memorials can be directed to Creston Area Rescue Effort or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be left at www.powersfh.com.

Ruth was born Aug. 4, 1938, the daughter of Marvin Howell Corley and Yetive Lorraine (Edwards) Corley in Gate City, Louisiana. She graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1956. Ruth married Richard Eugene Thompson Oct. 5, 1957, at the Baptist Church in Hodge, Louisiana. They made their home in the Orient-Zion area where Ruth was a homemaker.

She spent her time raising her children and enjoying her hobbies: crocheting and sewing, including making many wedding dresses for family and friends. Ruth had a green thumb, always tending to her beautiful house plants and lush gardens, which she turned into jars and jars of canned goods.

They purchased the Thompson Conoco Service in 1970. The family moved to Afton in 1975 and began operating The Afton Motel. Returning to Orient in 1979, Ruth helped operate the service station. Richard and Ruth divorced in 1989. Later that year, Ruth joined Richard in Cassville, Missouri, where she began her career with Walmart. They returned to Orient two years later.

Ruth moved to Creston in 1998 where she continued to work at the Creston Walmart for a total of 23 years. She worked in a variety of areas with her favorite being in crafts and fabrics. She retired in March 2012.

Ruth is survived by her children: Rhonda (Mike) Erskine, Rita (Mike) Wolfe, Rodney Thompson, Ra“Mona” Wehde, Russell (Michal) Thompson and “Ro”sanne Thompson; grandchildren: Dawn (Chris) Loudon, Ashley (Tim) Pingree, Briana Wehde, Tyler Erskine, Hunter Thompson and Hannah Thompson; great-grandchildren: Brettalynn, Brayanna, Bracaley, Maci, Weston and Brendan; sister Jeanette (Jake) Ford; sister-in-law Berva Bennett; many nieces, nephews and cousins; special family friend Linda Oshel and many more.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Lola “Janice” Ranney, Silas “Herdon” Corley and Edward “Maurice” Corley; grandparents Thomas and Macie Edwards; grandson Dustin Wehde; sons-in-law: Ron Woosley and Brett Wehde; parents-in-law: Cloyd and Lottie Thompson; brothers-in-law, Calvin “Wayne” Thompson, Robert Bennett and Robert Thompson and sister-in-law, Kimiko Thompson.