May Elizabeth Thompson

May Elizabeth "Chip" Thompson, 87, of Lufkin was born on July 27, 1927 in New York City, New York. Her parents, Oscar Ferdinand Hessel and Hedwig Elizabeth Lind Hessel, immigrated from Sweden through Ellis Island in the early 1920's. The Hessels moved to Houston where Captain Hessel was a merchant seaman. Chip graduated from Milby High School and Stephen F. Austin State University. While at SFA she was a cheerleader, a member of the Pineburrs (later to become Chi Omega), and voted most popular girl. While attending SFA she met a student named Billy Lee Thompson who told her on their very first meeting that he intended to marry her. They married on August 29, 1949. Billy Lee and Chip moved to Houston so he could attend South Texas Law School. Chip worked at an insurance company until she had her first child, Jeff. The Thompson family moved to Lufkin and added two daughters Dee and Lee Ann to the family. Chip was a member of the PTA, the Lufkin Service League (later to become the Junior League), and the women's golf association of both Lufkin Country Club and Crown Colony Country Club. But her most important involvement was her family. She was a supporting wife and a stay-at-home mom. She was married to Billy Lee for almost 46 years when he passed away in 1995. With the love and support of family and friends Chip spent the remaining nineteen years of her life with joy and enthusiasm. She traveled over the United States and several international trips. She enjoyed playing Bridge, Rummikub, Canasta, and Mexican Train. She was blessed to have many friends-longtime friends she had known since moving to Lufkin as well as new friends she made when moving to Pinecrest. She was a member of Christ Congregational Church. In her last days she was more comfortable talking about her relationship with Jesus Christ and how she placed her faith in Him. She was a beautiful woman as well as being gentle and kind. The words that described her best would be "a true lady." She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Dee and Glen McDaniel of Lufkin; Lee Ann and Glenn Hoskin of Smithfield, VA; granddaughter and husband Casey and Greg Weghorst of Frisco; grandson and wife Brett and Kimberly McDaniel of the Woodlands; grandson Kyle McDaniel of Ft. Worth; granddaughter and husband Erin and Justin Jernigan of Peoria, IL; granddaughter and fiancé Lindsay Hoskin and Travis DeNicola of Norwalk, CT; great-grandchildren Tatum and Hank Weghorst and Ace Nelson; brother Edwin Hessel of Pasadena; nieces, nephews, best friend Pat Ryman Edwards, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Billy Lee Thompson; son Jeff Thompson, and brother William Hessel. Not only were the five years at Pinecrest so wonderful, but her last month of nursing and assistant care offered by Pinecrest and Hospice of the Pines was exceptional. A celebration of Chip's life will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel. A private graveside service will be at the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. The family will receive visitors on Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Carroway Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Congregational Church or a charity of your choice. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.