08/05/2026
Presider Melton Ray Thompson, 81, passed away Saturday night, July 25, 2026 in a Longview Hospital. He was born on May 19,1945 to Tennessee Thompson, Father and Jennie V. (Davis) Thompson, Mother in San Augustine, Texas.
Visitation is from 10am to 6pm on Friday, August 7, 2026 at Community Funeral Home Chapel in Center. Funeral service is at 1pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ, 908 Daniel Street, Center, Texas.
He attended school in Shelbyville, after which he served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1968 through1973, He was in the 5th Brigade and served as a chef. Upon leaving the army he worked for 30 years at Bridgestone Firestone as a tire technician.
Presider Thompson joined Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ at an early age, He served faithfully as a Shepherd in Oklahoma and Texas, Presider Thompson was the County Prince in Tyler, Texas and State Presider for Arkansas.
He was an avid Guitar player, loved fishing, baking, bicycling and walking.
He is preceded in death by brothers, Marvin Ray Thompson, O'Neal Thompson, Claude Thompson, Fredrick Thompson, Earsie Thompson, Elzie Thompson, and Donell Thompson; and sisters, Mamie Thompson Bluford and Mary Thompson Young.
He leaves to cherish his memory:
Loving wife, Elder Dephine Horn Thompson of 12 years
Brothers:
Archie Thompson (Sharon)
Stephen Thompson (Feleshia)
Leonard Thompson
Sisters:
Clara Thompson Dergin (Gilbert)
Ruthie Thompson
Children:
Chaquana Thompson
Shakietha Thompson
Marshonda McCray
Felander Sanders
Howard Van Knight
Sgt. Marcus Horn (Michelle)
Marcus Sanders
Grandchildren (Tiaunna and Carnisha)
3 great-grandchildren (Damoriae, Danny and Destin)
8 great-great-grandchildren
Special nephew, Neil Thompson (Amelia)
Special cousin, Deborah Miller (Victor)
A host of nephews, nieces and cousins.
Presider Thompson was loved by everyone he encountered and he leaves a host of family and friends who will always remember him.
Services are entrusted to Community Funeral Home in Center, Texas.
