Obera Allison “O.A.” Thompson, 83, of Murphy died Saturday, August 27, 2005 in an Asheville hospital. A native and lifetime resident of Cherokee County, he was a son of the late Columbus Stevenson “Lum” and Bertha Mae Green Thompson and the husband of the late Eula Mull Thompson, who died January 13, 1995. He was a retired welder for Herman West Construction Company and he was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are a daughter, Shirlene Golden and husband, Steve of Murphy; a son, Harold Thompson and wife, Joyce of Union Point, GA; three sisters, Iramae Moss of Murphy and Ruth Brown and Arzella Clark both of Morganton, NC; three brothers, David Thompson of Glen Alpine, NC, Otis Thompson of Morganton, NC, and Willis Thompson of Aurora, OH; three grandchildren, Laura Beaty, Lynn Thompson, and Darren Golden; and two great grandchildren, Alexandria and Carson Beaty.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, Aug. 30 in the Chapel of the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with the Revs. Edward Carter, Aud Brown, and Warren Golden officiating. Burial was in the Unaka Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Alvin, Brian, and Mitchell Thompson, Roy Rose, Johnny Davis, and Darren Golden. Honorary pallbearers were William and Carl Dockery, Carl Johnson, and Paul Farmer.

The family received friends from 6-8 Monday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in loving memory of Obera Thompson to the Unaka Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Norvell Murphy, 14914 Joe Brown Hwy, Murphy, NC 28906.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of arrangements.