Ruth Anne "Penni" Drake Thompson

Ruth Anne “Penni” Drake Thompson, age 80, of Asheville, NC died on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, due to complications of heart disease. She was born on December 15, 1941, in Hendersonville, NC, and was the daughter of the late Preston Eugene and Ruth Talley Drake. Shortly after birth, her father nicknamed her “Penni” based upon her copper complexion. The jaundice improved but the nickname stuck, and she remained known as Penni throughout her life. Penni earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNC-Greensboro (then Women’s College). She worked as an audiologist for Buncombe County Schools for a large part of her career, also having been the audiologist for the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton, NC, and having taught history at East Henderson High School in Flat Rock, NC. Penni was dedicated to the children and families that she served during her career and a tireless advocate for their needs. She enjoyed listening to jazz music, participating in arts and crafts (particularly cross-stitch), and spending time with and talking about her grandchildren. Penni was an avid UNC-Chapel Hill Men’s Basketball fan, and planned vacations, appointments, and outings around when the Tar Heels would be playing. Despite the memory challenges she experienced in recent years, she never forgot her love for her Heels and her loathing of all things DOOK. She was truly loved by her friends and family and will be deeply missed. Penni is survived by her husband of 52 years, Lawrence “Larry” Edward Thompson, III, of the home; a daughter, Heather Thompson Mackey and husband Donald of Kernersville, NC; a son, Christopher Drake Thompson and wife Cindy of St. Louis, MO; four grandchildren, Madison Paige Thompson of St. Louis, MO; Elizabeth Preston Mackey of Kernersville, NC; Reagan Nicole Thompson of St. Louis, MO; and Samuel Christopher Mackey of Kernersville, NC. Family will receive friends on Friday, September 16, 2022, from 6-7:30 pm at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC. Funeral services will be11am Saturday, September 17, 2022 at The Cathedral of All Souls in Asheville, 9 Swan Street, Asheville, NC with The Reverend Will Bryant officiating. Reception will immediately follow the service at church. Burial will follow the ceremony at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 3000 Old Kanuga Road, Hendersonville, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the young adult ministry (EYC) of The Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan Street, Asheville, NC 28803, or a charity of one’s choice.

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Ruth Anne "Penni" Drake Thompson

December 15, 1941 - August 16, 2022