Leon Thompson, 78, formally of Smithville, MS., passed away on March 27, 2023, in Morristown, TN. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Dowdle Funeral Home in Millport, Al. Visitation will be one hour prior to services in the chapel. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Millport, AL.

Leon was a talented carpenter and builder, having honed his skills in the Northeast before moving South in the early 90's and was typically an excellent judge of character. Leon was forthright and a man never had to wonder about where he stood with him….he was highly educated, well beyond the end of his scholastic career in the 8th or 9th grade. When not working, Leon enjoyed watching old westerns and appreciated good food, construction projects well done and a cold beer at the end of the day. Leon was a patriot and a proud Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Laffey in the Mediterranean in the early 60's. He often "held court" around his shop table sharing in a strong drink, laughing and telling stories from his days aboard the ship known as "the ship that wouldn't die" because of her service through WWII, Korea and the Cold War era. For most of his life he worked, lived and loved hard and he passionately loved and cared for his surviving mother, "dear Mumsy", until the very end of his life. He loved his son Lee and often bragged on his grandchildren Emma and Tanner and their accomplishments as working young adults. He especially appreciated the love and care he received from Lee and his wife Lisa and their family in the final weeks of his life. He also had a special relationship with his niece Jenny and enjoyed making annual trips with her and her husband Joe for many years He was the constant protective brother and loved his sisters Mary and Millie and had a unique relationship with both. Over the last 30 years he made and established many deep friendships with many of us here in Mississippi and was well known as "Smithville's Favorite Yankee". In his later years, he found great joy in
visiting with neighbors and other contractors who stopped by for construction advice at the end of the work day in his shop. He will be terribly missed and not sure things will ever be the same here in the Pearce Chapel community without his company, sharp wit and advice on everything from construction and livestock to politics and women.

While never one to attend church regularly or talk openly about his religion or debate in "high theology" Leon would often say that after 5 wives and lots of bad decisions there is no way for him to not believe in God and a praying mother, otherwise he'd be living under a bridge somewhere! LOL. Leon's faith was simple but strong and he had trusted his eternity to Jesus, not man or organized religion many years ago. I've always heard that the measure of a man lies in how many stories are told after he's gone….if that is the case, Leon Thompson was quite a man because his stories and advice will live on for many years to come.

He is survived by his mother Miriam Thompson of WV, his sister Millie Costello and her husband Mickey Costello of TN, his sister Mary Calvert and her husband Bob Calvert of WV,  sister  Lois Bowles, brother, Harry C. Thompson (Donna), His son Leon Thompson and his wife Lisa Thompson of TN and 2 grandchildren Emma Thompson of TN and Tanner Thompson of TN. He is also survived by his Smithville family; Brad and Angie Stevens & children Maghan, Beau & Abby. Darnell "Punkin" Moore. Special friends; Scott, Jenny and Stuart Morgan. Bobby Harper, Pam Ragland Stanford, and special caregiver Sue Lundy.

He is preceded in death by his father Leon Thompson of WF. Locally he was preceded in death by a couple of good friends …. Steve "Lil Crockett" Sargent and Danny "Big Dan" Stafford.

Pallbearers will be Brad Stevens, Beau Stevens, Pumkin, Scott Morgan and Bobby Harper and honorary pallbearer Stuart Morgan.