Eunice Thompson

DONNA - Mrs. Eunice (Bradford) Thompson went home to be with the Lord with family by her side at Knapp Medical Center, Weslaco, Texas on October 25, 2014 — the 26-year anniversary of her beloved husband’s passing. She was 91.

Eunice was born October 1, 1923 in Mercedes, Texas to William Jefferson Davis Bradford and Margauerite (Margaret) Pyron Bradford. Eunice had seven siblings, including a twin sister. Her then-teenaged brother, Carl Bradford, selflessly provided for the family when William widowed young Margaret. Eunice graduated from Weslaco High School in 1942.
This daughter of a circuit preacher married Roy L. Thompson, the son of a dairy farmer. After marrying in 1952, Eunice and Roy lived in Weslaco, across from Harrington grocery store. In 1953, they had their first child, Jane, while living here. Eunice’s mother, Margaret, spent many hours together with them here. In 1955, they welcomed their first son, Roy Lee.

In 1956, Roy moved the family to Donna, to a small frame home across from the home of his parents, Axel and Deena Thompson. The home was on a 5-acre lot filled with orange trees and surrounded by farmland. In 1959, their youngest son, Alan, was born. Eunice and Roy delighted in their children. Although the house was small and humble, the Thompsons filled it with much love.

Roy and his brother Dee worked sun up to sun down on the dairy farm. At its largest, the herd numbered 1000. They sometimes had up to 600 heifers giving milk at one time. They built a milk processing plant on the south side of Business 83 on Victoria Road, and milk from the 24-hour milking operation was trucked over for processing. Roy would wake at 4:00 each morning to make his rounds taking care of the dairy herd, and then make his way across the highway to start his day at 7:00 a.m., processing and bottling milk. They had several delivery trucks that would deliver milk all over the Valley. Dee headed up the feed barn where the feed was mixed for the dairy herd. They also sold feed to other dairy farmers.

Eunice was a wonderful homemaker, who made fresh bread in the afternoon before picking up the children from school, and took popcorn balls to class for birthday parties. She thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of being a mom. Summers were spent swimming at the Val Verde Pool and then later at Hibiscus Pool. The children would swim and the moms would sit under the shade visiting. Eunice loved reading and doing crossword puzzles and later computer games.

During the 60s and 70s, Eunice kept the books and managed the family-owned convenience store attached to the milk processing plant on the south side of Business 83. The family would spend many an hour in the store enjoying each others company and that of friends and custom-ers.

Due to the fact that Roy had to work so many hours taking care of the dairy herd, Eunice be-came very creative in finding ways to spend time together as a family. Many nights during the summer, she would take all of the children to the feed barn and Roy would allow the children to ride with him on the tractor as he put feed in the troughs for the cattle.

Eunice came from a family of eight children, and it was always a delight to have family come to visit. Many hours were spent making homemade ice cream and eating sweet watermelon.

After the family repurposed the feed barns as the Don-Wes Flea Market, Roy convinced Eunice that she would enjoy having a booth. They eventually settled on a belt buckle business and the deal was made. She expanded that one booth to a triple booth and had many customers over the years who came back year after year. She later expanded that business to a wholesale business and shipped buckles and earrings all over the country.

Roy went home to be with the Lord October 25, 1988.

Eunice’s sharp wit and keen sense of humor could capture the imagination and take listeners back in time, allowing them to see and hear the things that the pile of black and white photographs on the table would have otherwise kept secret.

Eunice is survived by her daughter, Jane (Mark) Nittler of Weslaco, Texas; son, Alan (Lori) Thompson of Donna, Texas; brother, Frank (Doris) Bradford of Mays Landing, New Jersey; sis-ter-in-law and lifelong friend, Betty Bradford of Georgetown, Texas; grandchildren, David (Katee) Nittler, Patrick Nittler, Steven (Amy) Nittler, Jodi (Dustin) Hjelle, Aimee Pemelton, Nikki Pemelton, and Travis Thompson; precious great-grandchildren, Shelby, Reese, Joshua, Laney, Zachary, Levi, Daniel, Rylee, Truman, Olivia, and Jacob; nieces and nephews Charlie Hays, Bill Hays, William Bradford, David Bradford and Carole Foster. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy L. Thompson, and son, Roy Lee Thompson.