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Back in 2014, Sally Thompson felt the Farmville community needed its own Christmas tree. At the time, she was chair of the town council’s Community Development and Marketing committee and so she went to work, reaching out to people, making calls and putting the idea together. Eventually, that tree went up in the downtown area, complete with its own tree lighting ceremony. It’s one example but you’ll hear similar stories when people talk about the work she did in this community.

From working with the revitalization of downtown to expanding the farmers’ market and helping the schools organize after-school programs, Thompson gave of her time and energy to help Farmville. Back on Aug. 11, Thompson passed away in Chapel Hill at the age of 86. Now her husband will be bringing Sally back to Farmville this weekend, where she’ll be laid to rest at the Hampden-Sydney College Presbyterian Church cemetery. 

Friends and family say her work in town was inspiring. 

“Sally was an inspiration to many in this community as well as other members of Town Council,” said John Hardy. He serves as the current Ward A representative on council and, along with his wife Page, was a longtime friend of Sally and her husband, Rev. Willie Thompson. “Her service was one of the reasons that I decided to throw my hat in the ring. She had many close friends in the neighborhood and enjoyed walks with their dog Bandit. She will be deeply missed in our community.” 

‘A deep respect’ for Sally Thompson

Sally Thompson’s work for the community extended beyond her time on the Farmville town council. She served as a member of the Barbara Rose Johns Community Library Board and was a founding member of the Moton Museum Board. In a comment to The Herald back in 2014, Sally explained what drove her to support the community in so many ways. 

“Not only am I the only woman now serving on the town council, I am also the only council member who does not presently have a full-time job, which means that since I am retired (with children and grandchildren who live elsewhere), I have the time to go along with my energy and interests,” Sally said, adding that her schedule made it easier to take part in committees and task forces that meet in the early morning. 

“I value my collaborative work with the other members of the town council and I especially love my involvement with so many different kinds of friends in our increasingly pluralistic community,” she said. 

In addition to the work mentioned above, Sally also worked with the town council’s police, fire, and safety committee, along with the boards of the United Way and the Prince Edward County School Endowment. 

Current Farmville Mayor Brian Vincent also remembers Sally Thompson. Serving in Ward B, she was his representative on council and then when she stepped down, hers was the seat he ran for. 

“Councilwomen Sally Thompson was a steadfast champion of Farmville in her 10 years on Council and was instrumental in the creation of our annual Christmas Tree Lighting event,” Vincent said. “She was my Ward representative and held the seat that I eventually won after she retired from office. I remember meeting her on the street after deciding to run for the Ward B seat and telling her of my intention. Her quip back, “well, you’re not a woman,” made me laugh, but I assured her that with three ladies in my household, the female influence on my decision making would be strong. This seemed to please her. It was an honor to follow in her footsteps and I have a deep respect for her service to our community. My prayers go out to her husband, family and friends.” 

‘I must fill the unforgiving minute’ 

During her life, Sally served as an elementary public school teacher in North Carolina and Virginia for 35 years, which included five years as a kindergarten teacher in the Prince Edward County Elementary School. She and her husband lived on the Hampden-Sydney campus in the College Church manse during his time as College Presbyterian Church pastor and college chaplain. After Rev. Thompson’s retirement in 2002, the couple moved to Farmville, into a restored Victorian house on High Street, where, in addition to everything else, Sally maintained a licensed Bed & Breakfast for 15 years. Eventually in 2018, the couple moved to Carolina Meadows Retirement Home in Chapel Hill, N.C., where Rev. Thompson is still a resident.

A burial and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Hampden-Sydney College Presbyterian Church. That’ll take place in the sanctuary, with a burial of ashes in the church cemetery afterwards. 

“While I have certainly learned a lot and done a lot in the years that I have been on town council, I feel that there is still more for me to do and to learn,” Sallie told The Herald back in 2014. “I have always been inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s words in ‘If,’ which is one of my favorite poems: I absolutely feel that I must ‘fill the unforgiving minute full of sixty seconds worth of distance run.’”

Looking back at all she achieved over the years, those words almost pop up as a challenge, for all of us to pick up the banner and do the same. 

Memorial contributions in Sally Thompson’s honor may be made to the College Church Cemetery Fund.