Neta Joyce Thompson

Neta Joyce McCulloch Thompson died 27 January 2014 in her home, from respiratory distress after a long illness. She was born 14 March 1933 near Steele, Missouri to the late Silas Earl and Edith Hutson McCulloch. She grew up near Gideon, Missouri and graduated from Gideon High School in 1951. She worked for Gideon-Anderson farm Management until marrying Glen Thompson, of Portageville, MO, on 28 June 1952 at Kewanee, Missouri. She moved with Glen on his military assignments to Great Falls, Montana, Washington, D.C. and Cheyenne Wyoming. After his discharge, they returned to Missouri, where Glen attended the University of Missouri at Columbia. While here, their three daughters were born, Susan, Jane and Glenda. Glen was recalled to the Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, where he became a career officer, taking Neta and family to many different locales: Kimball, NE; Great Falls, MT; Los Alamos, NM; Tullahoma, TN; and Albuquerque, NM, where they remained until Glen's retirement in 1978. They later moved to Weatherford, TX, and Grapevine, TX, ending up back in Albuquerque, NM, where they both retired in 1998. Neta was a very accomplished cook, becoming one of 100 finalists in the 24th Annual Pillsbury Bake-Off. Her recipe was the Colossal Crescent Cheeseburger, one well loved by her family. She made the best fried chicken and mashed potatoes anywhere. She took cake decorating lessons while in Great Falls, Montana and delighted her daughters with beautiful cakes for their birthdays thereafter. She loved dinner parties and was a wonderful hostess. Neta's talents were many. As a seamstress, she sewed many of her own clothes, her daughter's clothes and even made many doll dresses over the years. Everything she created was always beautiful. Her daughters enjoyed picking out their own fabric and waiting for the finished product. She taught all of her daughters to sew. Other accomplishments included playing piano. She played for her church congregation while the family was stationed in Kimball, NE. She was a Girl Scout Leader in Nebraska, Montana and New Mexico. Her gardens were always beautiful, laid out to best display the flowers. She taught her daughters a love for gardening as well. Neta was an artist at heart in all her accomplishments, but painting was her true love. She practiced Tole painting, a Folk Art of decorative painting on tin or wood. The pieces she shared with her family are much beloved. A true outdoors woman, Neta saw to her family's camping trips, like a pro. She could fry up rainbow trout over a fire that disappeared as fast as she laid it out. She enjoyed hiking with the girls, while Glen fished. Camping trips are some of the family's fondest memories. Neta loved to travel and looked forward to any journey. Because she and Glen always lived away from extended family, summers meant trips to Missouri to see her and Glen's parents and siblings and for all the cousins to play with each other. These were big family events, with storytelling, lots of great food, and laughter that went on into the wee hours of the morning. She loved these times with her family. After her parents passed, and Neta could no longer travel, her siblings made the trek to Albuquerque to be with her. She and her siblings shared a close union that will never be forgotten. They, along with their parents, were and are a shining example of family love. Neta and Glen also traveled to Europe and the UK several different times. They made a trek through Scotland, her country of heritage, visiting the family castle, Cardoness, (now part of the Scottish Trust) and visited cousins who still live in Ardwall, Scotland at Gatehouse of Fleet. This was a true delight for her. They also took a tour of England and visited the sites where many of the church songs she loved were penned, including Rock of Ages. Another favorite trip for Neta was to New Orleans, where she took a Paul Prudhomme cooking class. Grandchildren and great grandchildren were a blessing in her life. She enjoyed the times she was able to care for her grandchildren over the years and enjoyed seeing the great grand children as they came into this world. The grand children love to tell stories of their mamaw. They remember her love of crossword puzzles and finding her at the breakfast table each morning working that day's puzzle. She was a master at Scrabble and loved playing with her daughters. The grandchildren remember that their moms could never beat mamaw. She loved to read to them when they were little. Her love of books was an influence on her entire family. Unfortunately, Neta was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was 44. She had suffered bouts of swelling joints since the age of 30. Almost her entire adult life included pain, but she rarely complained. She never let this disease get the best of her. She lived her life as fully as possible, continuing to pursue her interests. When she had a small stroke, January of 2004, she didn't let this set her back. She fought hard to still do anything she physically could. In May of that year, she and Glen made the choice to move into The Woodmark, an assisted living facility, so that Glen could have help with her care if needed. She was able to remain fairly mobile for several more years before she was forced to use a wheelchair at all times. Her last several years, she was mostly confined to her bed. She enjoyed visits from her family and friends and she enjoyed the community of friends and caretakers at The Woodmark. Neta will be remembered for her strength and sweet spirit, her many talents, as well as her beauty. Her family and friends always marveled at how well she managed her pain and ever increasing debilitation. Glen was her primary caregiver as she became unable to care for herself. His careful attention to her care extended her life and gave her the best quality of life possible. He always called her his sweetheart. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her husband, Glen Allen Thompson of Albuquerque. Her daughters, Susan Emma Thompson Tucker and husband Mike of Albuquerque, NM; Jane Thompson Hasenmueller and husband Steve of Santa Fe, NM; Glenda Joyce Thompson of Baku, Azerbaijan. Seven grandchildren, Michelle Tucker Rautis and husband Rob of Salt Lake City, UT; David Shawn Hunton and wife Kayla Krattiger of Portales, NM; Paul Hunton and wife Andrea Stratton of Lubbock, TX; Matt Hunton and wife Sara Archibeque of Portales, NM; Christopher Tucker and wife Rachel Mealey of Oceanside, CA ; Sierra Salazar of Honokaa, HI; Forest Salazar of Portland, OR. Nine great-grandchildren, John Rautis, Tre Hunton, Emma Hunton, Rachel Rautis, Kate Hunton, Payton Hunton, Faith Tucker, Paige Hunton and Hannah Tucker. She is also survived by her four siblings, Bettye McCulloch Henry and husband Ray of Hillsboro, MO; Crews McCulloch and wife Marge, of Graham, TX; Ronnie McCulloch and wife Carole, of Nashville, TN; Kay McCulloch Medlin and husband Loren Belford. Also, numerous nieces and nephews. Interment will take place 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 31st at Sunset Memorial Park, for family only. A Memorial Service for all will be held, 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 1st at Montgomery Church of Christ, 7201 Montgomery Blvd., Albuquerque, NM. There will also be a Memorial Service at Woodmark Assisted Living, 7201 Prospect Pl NE, Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Memorials should be made to The Albuquerque Christian Children's Home: / or mailed to: 5700 Winter Haven NW; Albuquerque, NM 87120 Arrangements by French Mortuary