Gertrude Rowland Thompson

Our mother, Gertrude Rowland Thompson, age 99, passed away at her beloved home on the family farm on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. She had been surrounded by her children throughout the day. She dearly loved her children, Wanda, Randy, and Susan and told them that every day. She would have loved for them to move back in the home with her. She was so proud of them – all graduating from Georgia Southern University. Not going to college was not an option. She went to school in Wesley, played basketball, and was valedictorian of her class.

Everyday was Sunday dinner at our house. There were always three full meals. She was an excellent cook. She never used recipes and she never measured anything. Just ask her grandchildren, Scrap and Shot Scarboro, about her chicken and dumplings.

She was born in Emanuel County to Remus Rowland and Trudie Lowe Rowland. Her mother passed away when she was four-years-old, leaving five children, Juanita, Ruth, Ora Mae, Hubert, and R.W., from ages 2 weeks to 11-years-old. She would tell stories of how hard life was for them on the farm. Her father never remarried. As the older children moved away, she remained with her father until age 28 when she met the only love of her life, Randolph Thompson. They were married for 51 years.

Randolph was a small farmer, growing cotton and tobacco and raising cows and hogs. It seems both had a green thumb and working together, they expanded the size of the farm. The farm was later called Thompson Feed Lot when they changed to beef cattle. As their family grew, so did the size of their vegetable garden. Our mother canned, pickled, or froze everything. Nothing went to waste. We remember picking butterbeans late one fall with gloves on. She never complained, but we did. Just like our father, she had a love for the land.

She joined and attended Mount Shady Church until her hearing declined. She loved God and hoped He had a place for her. Randy Travis had a song that said, “Not all angels have robes or halos.” She didn’t on this earth, but we know she does now.

After being called “Goggie” by her oldest grandson, Scrap, in his childhood, she affectionately was called “Goggie” by everyone. This now includes Scrap’s wife, Heather, and their two children, Lainey and Leanna, along with Shot’s wife, Caroline, and their two children, Cooper and Cameron.

Our family will have visitation at Chapman Funeral Home on Saturday morning, August 29, at 9:30. Graveside Service will be at Swainsboro City Cemetery at 11:00. We have asked Pastor Wesley Webb to conduct the service. She will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Chapman Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.

Wanda (Wayne) Thompson Scarboro

Randy Thompson

Susan (Danny) Thompson Faircloth

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com