Brother Cullen Thompson

Brother Cullen Thompson, Sr., of Port Saint Joe, was born August 15, 1915 to the late Carlton and Callie Thompson in Campbellton, (Jackson County) Florida. Cullen and his late wife Willie Mae were joined together spiritually in Holy Matrimony in Campbellton, Florida on May 24, 1936. Together they had eight children who they loved and devoted their lives to until her death in 1985. His early education was achieved in Jackson County. He was employed by L & N Railroad in Campbellton, Florida, and the Apalachicola Northern Railroad Company in Port Saint Joe and River Junction, Florida for 35 years until his retirement in 1972. He moved from Campbellton to Port Saint Joe in 1954 where he became a resident until his death. After a brief illness God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, in His own way and for His own purpose, decided it was time for his son Cullen to come home and take his rest on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
On February 3, 1997, he married his current wife Lillian E. Nelson of Port Saint Joe. During this period they loved and cared for one another and his step-granddaughter LaTisha until her premature death.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Willie Mae, a son Bennon, a grandson Bennon, Jr., (Fuji) and a step-granddaughter LaTisha.
He leaves to cherish his memories and love, his surviving wife Lillian, four sons, three daughters, three step-daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Four sons: Cullen (Ann) Thompson, Jr. of Fayetteville, NC, Leonard (Mary) Thompson of Harrisburg, PA, Bobby Thompson of Panama City, FL, and Lyndon (Paula) Thompson of Dallas, TX; three daughters: Betty (Charles) Underwood of Birmingham, AL, Joy (Willie) Escalante of Tampa, FL, Gloria (Roosevelt) Escalante of Tampa, FL; three step-daughters, Janet (James) Williams of Warner Robins, GA, Barbara Nelson Walker of Eufala, AL, and Joyce (Marvin) Davis of Deltona, FL. 18 Grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; and 16 step-great-grandchildren.
The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. EDT Saturday, May 17, 2008 at the Zion Fair Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Robert L. Pierson. Interment followed in Forest Hill Cemetery.
All services were under the direction of the Comforter Funeral Home.