Mary Elizabeth Pennebaker Thompson Caperton

Funeral services for Mary Elizabeth Pennebaker Thompson Caperton of West Monroe will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe. Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M., and the funeral will follow at 2:00 P.M. She passed from this life on July 28, 2021, after a brief, unexpected illness of pancreatic cancer. Officiating the service will be Dr. Woods Watson of First Baptist Church of West Monroe. Interment will be in Delhi Masonic Cemetery, Delhi, LA. She will be laid to rest with the ashes of her beloved husband, Dave.

She was born at home south of Delhi, LA, Central Community, on March 29, 1938, to the union of Pliny William “Bill” Pennebaker, Sr. and Olive Chapman Pennebaker. She attended Central School in Franklin Parish, LA and graduated from Delhi High School. She attended Northeast Louisiana University. She is predeceased by her husband, David L. Caperton, her parents, and son, Gregory Monroe Thompson.

Her survivors include three sons, Thomas Andrew Thompson (Phyllis Pickett) of Holly Ridge, Michael Layne Thompson (Patricia Hamm) of West Monroe, and William Trey Thompson of Colorado. They also include her brother, Pliny William “Penny” Pennebaker, Jr. and wife Nell (Hammons) of Delhi and their two sons Todd and wife LynnAnne, and Rodney and wife Dr. Dawn Pennebaker, her sister, Barbara Sue Pennebaker Graham of West Monroe and her daughter Ginger, and her daughter-in-law Christy Skinner Thompson. She is survived by thirteen grandchildren: Alicia Thompson Mayeaux (Mickey), Kirk Thompson, Savannah Thompson, Landon Thompson, Nicholas Thompson, Ladd Thompson, Tate Thompson, Garet Thompson, April Morgan Hale, Sarah Morgan Miller (Brian), Toni Morgan Navarro (John), Matthew Morgan (Krista), and Amanda Morgan Free (Shane). She also has 13 great-grandchildren. Finally, she has numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.

While many family members and friends were at Mary’s home to help in numerous ways during her illness, the family wants to thank three who exhibited special care for Mary. We thank Aunt Betty Thompson Williams for being a stable force for Mary’s care and comfort for so many weeks. We love you dearly, Aunt Betty, for your loving, sacrificial help for her. Next, we thank Mary’s good friend, Debbie Townsend, for her devotion and excellent care for Mary in so many important ways. Lastly, we thank Mary’s granddaughter, Alicia Thompson Mayeaux, for so many days of complete love, devotion, and care for Mary. No one could have shown more pure love for her Meme than she.

Mary was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of West Monroe for many years, and a member of the Agape Class with whom she enjoyed many hours with her sisters in Christ in service to her church, fellowship, and Bible study. She also served as secretary of Agape Class, and coordinator of the church van ministry.

She worked for Columbian Carbon Company in Monroe from 1959 to 1967; Malone, Walker & Martin, CPAs from 1972 to 1994; Kelly, Nolan & Bradley CPAs; Phillip Dale Soignier, CPA; and Joe Magee, Tax Preparer. In addition to her business sense, Mary also had a creative side. Among her many creative talents, she was an expert seamstress. She made all of her son, Andy’s clothes until he was almost 5. She also made museum quality drapes, curtains and upholstery just for fun!

Mary loved her Lord, her family dearly and her many friends who I know will miss her giving spirit and the enjoyment she received from doing for others. One such friend is Carolyn Gorby. She and Mary were devoted friends for over 50 years. During the Christmas season, Carolyn would travel to Mary’s house where they would make huge amounts of Christmas cookies, candies, and snacks. Most of those treats were given away to family and friends who enjoyed them so much. Carolyn has promised to help us carry on that tradition.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons Kirk Thompson, Tate Thompson, Garet Thompson, Landon Thompson, Nicholas Thompson, Ladd Thompson.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Agape Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church of West Monroe.