Obituary of Emmy Lou Thomson

Emmy Lou Thomson died peacefully at home on June 30, 2022, just shy of her 99th birthday. She was born August 4, 1923, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Herbert Bruce Thomson and Elizabeth Kabler Thomson. A graveside service will be held on Monday, July 11, 2022, at 1pm EDT at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1695 Perrowville Road., Forest, VA, with The Rev. Matt Rhodes officiating.  

    Emmy Lou’s family returned from Chicago in 1936 to their native Virginia and lived at Ivy Hill Farm in Forest. She attended private school in New York for twelve years before attending Sweet Briar College and graduating from Marjory Webster College in Silver Spring, MD. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Herbert of Winchester, and eight nieces and nephews – Elizabeth H. Cottrell (John) of Maurertown, VA, Herbert Bruce (Tom) Thomson III (Cathy) of Scottsville, VA, James H. Herbert, Jr. (Stewart) of Middleburg, VA, Doniphan (Don) O. Thomson (Margaret) of Brentwood, TN, R. Beverley Herbert (Kathleen) of Mount Juliet, TN, Bruce Thomson Herbert (Nancy) of Seattle, WA, Persis T. Tinsley (John) of Lynchburg, and Sarah C. Albritton (Andrew LaRowe) of Winston-Salem, NC – as well as 19 great-nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, H. Bruce Thomson, Jr. and his wife Persis (Puss), her brother-in-law James H. Herbert, Sr., and her beloved Corgi, Reno. 

     Emmy Lou was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, Junior League of Lynchburg, Hillside Garden Club, the Antiquarian Society, and the Colonial Dames of Virginia. She loved animals, and her interests included travel, golfing (a plaque at the Boonsboro Country Club celebrates her hole-in-one there), bridge, gardening, cooking, needlework, and historical preservation. She has been a generous supporter of numerous area charities and non-profits, most notably Amazement Square, Poplar Forest, and the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation.  

     Completely deaf since birth, Emmy Lou never let her disability define her. She lived life with style and grace, and her good humor and full-hearted laugh were treasured by all. Even as age robbed her of mobility, she often expressed gratitude for her home and her caretakers. She was always keen on hearing about the lives – and loves – of her nieces and nephews – cherishing their visits, notes, and family photos. She followed the British Royalty with avid interest.   

     Emmy Lou’s family wishes to express their tremendous gratitude to her devoted caretakers, each of whom became a part of our family. For several decades, Sallie Laughlin has been both loyal friend and caregiver – first for Emmy Lou’s mother and later for Emmy Lou. Remarkable love and dedication were also shown by Margaret Reaves, Jearlene Dixon, Wanda Rose, and Pat Gray. Time and again, they each went above and beyond their obligations to provide loving and faithful care.       

    In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church at 1215 V.E.S. Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503; the Lynchburg Humane Society at 1211 Old Graves Mill Road 
Lynchburg, VA 24502; the Miller Home at 2134 Westerly Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501; the Emmy Lou Thomson Fund at the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust, 1100 Commerce Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504; or to the charity of your choice. 

     A graveside service will be held Monday, July 11, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Stephens Episcopal Church Cemetery in Forest, with the Rev. Matt Rhodes officiating. 

     Diuguid Waterlick Chapel, 237-2722, is serving the family. To send on-line condolences, please go to www.diuguidfuneralservice.com.