Bartialette Braxton Thompson

Bartialette Braxton "Barky" Thompson, 98, of Graham died at Blakey Hall in Elon on Thursday, November 2, 2017.

A native of Alamance County, she was the wife of the late Julius F. Thompson, Jr. and the daughter of Everette Ashburn Braxton, Sr. and Nonie Lewis Braxton, both deceased.

Mrs. Thompson was a 1936 graduate and valedictorian at Graham High School and later became their choral director from 1946 to 1949. She was Regional Director for the Baptist Church Music Conference from 1950 to 1970. Bartialette was a former music director at Mt. Zion Association. She also taught voice, piano, and organ. She chaperoned the Graham Exchange Club’s Radio Queen Contest held in Havana, Cuba, in 1946 and 1947. Bartialette was a member of the Cardinal Chapter of the ABWA and was recognized as Woman of the Year in 1975. She was a former member of the Alamance Chorale. She founded the Triple Ls (Live Longer and Love it) for the First Baptist Church of Graham and loved to plan activities, adventures, and travel with the group. The Triple Ls have flourished in the years since.

Mrs. Thompson was a member of the First Baptist Church of Graham, where she formerly held the positions of Minister of Music, organist, and pianist. She was also a Sunday school teacher, Sunday School Department Director, and Deacon.

Survivors include a daughter, Julia “Julie” Thompson McKinney and husband Barry; a grandson, Shannon “Sam” Moore and husband Greg Pretre; two sisters, Drucilla B. Hearn and Theo B. Pickard; nieces and nephews; and all the many new additions to the family. She was preceded in death by her brothers, E.A. Braxton, Jr. and Donell Braxton; and her brother-in-law, Clarence E. Pickard.

The funeral service will be conducted at the First Baptist Church of Graham on Sunday, November 5, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Ministry Center beside the church. Burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park. Other times, the family will be at the residence of Sam Moore, Greg Pretre, and Julie McKinney.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be mailed to:
Barky Thompson
151 Deer Track Lane
Sparta, NC 28675

Rich and Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Graham is assisting the family.

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