Aliene Bessie Thompson

Aliene has completed her journey in this life on April 13, 2014. She has now begun a new and glorious phase of her eternal life in the presence of her Lord and Savior.
Her legacy is a life devoted to her faith, family and friends.
She became a Christian early in her life and throughout her many years was able to be a blessing to her family and friends. Even though she moved many times throughout her husband's military service, she always saw to it that her family attended and was active in a local church. She was a long-standing member of the Leggett Memorial United Methodist Church in Biloxi, and attended regularly until her health declined.
Born in Carr, Florida on February 8, 1921 she was the second oldest of six children. Her mother died when she was six years old, leaving behind Aliene, a handicapped sister and two other children. Her dad then married his deceased wife's sister and had two other children. Aliene helped her step-mom/aunt with the younger children.
She played girls basketball at Allentown, Florida High School when the team won the state championship in their division.
She married her sweetheart when he was in the Army prior to WWII. He later became a part of the Army Air Corps which transitioned into the U.S. Air Force. From that point on she became the anchor for the family allowing her husband to serve 27 years in the military. During those years the family moved numerous times and endured separations as her husband was deployed on several overseas assignments.
Her first daughter, Betty Joyce was stillborn. Her son, Charles Jr. (Chuck) was born when her husband, then a B-24 pilot during WWII, was shot down near Vienna, Austria on his 43rd mission. He was listed as missing in action and she didn't know until after giving birth if he had survived or not. In fact, with the help of partisans, she later learned that he had walked 450 miles through enemy territory to evade capture. Her daughter, Patsy, was born in Fort Lee, Virginia.
Even though families were not allowed to accompany service members, she took it upon herself to move with her young children to Wiesbaden, Germany while her husband was flying in the Berlin Airlift.
She helped her son raise her granddaughter who was a baby when her daughter-in-law died. She also helped to raise her great-grandson. Upon the death of her step-mother in 1973, she became the caregiver of her handicapped sister until her death in 1996.
Aliene never met a stranger and had the talent of being able to talk with anyone regardless of their station in life. She had the God-given gift of hospitality, was a great cook, and enjoyed gardening. She took pride in fashion and for several years modeled hats for Gayfers Department Store in Biloxi. Throughout her husband's military career she made many friends throughout the country which resulted in continued correspondence and occasional reunions over the years.
Her greatest challenge was a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Throughout the disease process she never complained or expressed any self-pity.
Although she will be missed by her family and friends, they can rejoice over a life that was well-lived. Surely the world is a better place as a result of her journey.
Aliene joins other family members who have gone on before her including parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Conner, her husband of 55 years, Charles L. Thompson, Sr., her daughter, Betty Joyce, her sister, Robbie Lee Conner, and her brothers, Louie Conner, Roy Conner, Herbert Conner and Martin Conner.
She is survived by a daughter, Pat May (John), a son, Chuck Thompson, a granddaughter, Suzanna Ney (Michael), two grandsons, Patrick May (Brandee), and J.C. May, and six great-grandchildren, Brantley Thompson, Anna May, Noah May, Jonah May, Austin Ney and Thomas Ney.
The family would like to especially thank the staff of Emeritus Senior Living Memory Care, as well as Hospice Advantage for the loving care provided to Aliene during her illness.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the National Alzheimer's Association in Aliene's name.
Friends may visit the family from 12 Noon until 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 17 at J.T. Leggett Memorial UMC, 1410 Beach Blvd., Biloxi. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m.
Interment will take place following services at Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi. Services directed by RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Biloxi and tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com