Mary Ellen Helton Thompson

Mary Ellen Helton Thompson, 89, left us on March 8th, 2021, with her family by her side at St. Vincent Hospital of Evansville.
Mary was born October 16th, 1931, in Iuka, KY, as the fourth of six sisters born within the marriage of her beloved Daddy and Momma, Virgil Loyd and Florence Elizabeth Catherine (Burgess) Helton. Mary graduated from Livingston County High School in 1950 and married her sweetheart, Roy J. Thompson, on June 3rd of the same year. Mary and Roy, enjoying 63 years of marriage, moved to Evansville, where she became a mother, licensed beautician from Tri-State Beauty College, and founder of Melody Hills Beauty Salon.
Mary’s joy in life surrounded her family. Known as Mom, Nana, and Booey, she was a devoted sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Anyone with memories of Mary remembers her giving heart, kind soul, and sweet words. These characteristics were embodied in the way she purely loved and consistently spoiled everyone, especially children, in her life with her famous homemade strawberry preserves, buttermilk biscuits, and fried apple pies. In addition to her family’s joy, Mary loved bird-watching, breeding Yorkie puppies, watching her “soaps”, working crossword puzzles, and staying current on all worldly events. She will forever be remembered as a spirit with a keen intellect who always put others before herself.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents Virgil and Florence Helton; her husband Roy J. Thompson; and three sisters Mildred “Sissie” Weider, Ruby Lee McDonald, and Nan Lyles. She is survived by two sisters Alice (Eric) Hansen and Sharon (Ray) Helton; son David Thompson; daughter Ellen (Jim) Spear; grandchildren Rachel (Zak) Moorman, Adam (April) Thompson, Joshua, Jacob, Katie, and Kerby Beliles; great-grandchildren Emma, Sam, and Leia Thompson, Jackson and Anya Moorman, Benjamen Beliles, and Layla Beliles-Dillion; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.
All arrangements will be handled by Sunset Funeral Home for the requested private family services.