History of the Restoration Movement


Tannie Brents Thompson

1882-1948

The Life Of Tannie B. Thompson

Tannie Brents Thompson was born August 7, 1882, in Graves County, Kentucky. His parents were William Henry and Mildred Melvina Thompson.

He attended high school in Paducah, Kentucky. His father was a capable song leader, and instilled his leadership skills in his son. After completing high school, T. B. attended Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, Tennessee. While at school he had the dubious honor of having led the first song ever in the chapel hall in the then new administration building. After finishing his two years at F-HC, he went to Rector, Arkansas and attended Monea Christian College.

On March 26, 1915, Thompson was married to Miss Myrtle Dell Andrews. To this union, two girls were born, Miss Helen Ward and Miss Edithlyn. To the deep sorrow of this family, Helen Ward died on May 10, 1924. Edithlyn is now Mrs. Russell F. Dyer.

T. B. Thompson's song leading skills took him to many places assisting many great men of the early 20th century in gospel meeting efforts. It was at the encouragement of many of those preachers that led him to began preaching in 1912 while at Rector, Arkansas. Places where he did local work were Rector; Murray, Kentucky; Mayfield, Kentucky; Avon Park, Florida; Huntsville, Alabama; Montgomery, Alabama; San Antonio, Texas; Corsicana, Texas; Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee.

The Thompsons were part of the first teacher's training workshop with Jesse P. Sewell in 1938. He was a pioneer in this field.

Thompson was not only a busy man, but one who merited and enjoyed the confidence and admiration of the brotherhood. He suffered a fatal heart attack in Dallas, Texas, at 5:00 P.M. on September 2,1948.

He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Myrtle Dell Thompson and one daughter, Mrs. Edithlyn Dyer.

The funeral service was at the Welch Street Church of Christ in Denton, Texas, where the Thompson's daughter lived, under the direction of Paul Holcombe. Making short talks were A. O. Colley, C. M. Stubblefield, Coleman D. Overby, and G. H. P. Showalter, E. R. Harper led the prayer. James F. Fowler made a talk at the grave. Burial was in the Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, Texas.

A good man, a loyal and faithful Christian, and a strong gospel preacher, has been taken from among us in the passing of T. B. Thompson. We will miss his fine fellowship and service in the gospel.

-Sources: Gussie Lambert, In Memoriam, pages 271,272, Gospel Advocate, 1940, p.899

Location Of The Grave Of T.B Thompson

Tannie B. Thomson is buried in Denton, in the D-FW area of Texas. North of Fort Worth, Texas, take I-35E to exit 455 and head south on Fort Worth Dr. (Hwy. 377). Go less than half a mile and turn right on Roselawn Dr. The road will twist and turn, but head out two or three miles to the cemetery on your left. Go to the second entrance and bear to the right, and then straight ahead. The section will be on the right. When you get to the end of the section, stop the car and enter to the right. About six rows back, look for LUKENS on a monument. The next row back and about three graves to the right of LUKENS is the Thompson plot.

GPS Location of the Grave
33°10'56.7"N 97°09'27.7"W
or D.d. 33.182417, -97.157683


THOMPSON
Myrtle A
1891-1982


T. B.
1882-1948

Special Thanks

In January, 2010, my wife Jenny and I made a visit to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Special thanks are extended to Rich and Barb Berdan, our dear friends who we worked with while they lived in Buford, Georgia. Rich traveled with me the day we visited the grave of T. B. Thompson. He helped me locate the grave. Thanks Rich!

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