Gene Thompson Glisson, native of Citronelle,died on Oct. 3, 2012 at the age of 89.
She was a longtime resident of Foley. She graduated from Alabama State College for Women in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science degree in vocational home economics education. She married Robert W. Thompson Jr. in 1943 to whom she remained married until his death in 1977. She began her extensive teaching career in 1945 and continued to teach home economics at Foley High School until 1961. Later she expanded her teaching career by obtaining a Master of Arts degree in Home Economics from the University of Montevallo. She continued teaching in Foley until 2008.In 1988, Gene married Courtney “Toby” Glisson, Jr. They remained married until his death in 1999. Gene was an active and founding member of three local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She held the State office of Corresponding Secretary as well as serving on numerous State committees during her more than 50 years in the organization. Other civic accomplishments include serving on the Board of Directors of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce; being a founding member of the Foley Performing Arts Association; organizing the first local troops of the Girl Scouts of America; and serving a Girl Scout District Director. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Foley serving as a deacon and a Member of the Session. She used her musical talents by singing in the choir and organizing the first bell choir. Gene also chaired the food service for the Logos Program and taught Sunday school classes. Gene also sang in the South Baldwin Civic Chorus and volunteered as a pollster. Her hobbies included gardening, designing and sewing clothing, and following current events. Her grandchildren and especially her great-grandson were the source of her youthful attitude toward life. Gene was a lifelong teacher whose devotion to her students earned her an indelible place in their hearts. Gene will be remembered for her dedication to God, family, country, profession and community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin O. Jones and Esther Ann Jones; and her siblings Daily Morgan Jones, Henry Jowett Jones, and Mary Abigail Jones and husbands Robert W. Thompson, Jr. and Courtney Glisson Jr. Survivors include her children R. Benja (Gloria) Thompson of Pensacola, and Sarah Thompson (Robert) Doig of Golden, Co.; grandchildren Robert M. (Cheryl) Thompson, James C. Thompson, Jessica A. Doig, Gregory A. Doig, and one great-grandson Robert Henry Thompson. Her stepchildren, include Damon Glisson, John Glisson, Wyatt Glisson, and Camille Glisson Langley. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held at Foley First Presbyterian Church on Monday Oct. 8, 2012 at 11a.m. There will be a visitation at Pine Rest Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday Oct. 7th. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Daughters of the American Revolution, Bon Secour Chapter scholarship fund or to Foley First Presbyterian Church.
