FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Thelma L. Thompson, 79, of Fort Lauderdale, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., died at 3 a.m. Monday (Jan. 26, 2009) in Fort Lauderdale Health and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born March 31, 1929, in Beckley, W.Va., to Clarence and Hazel (Edmondson) Dyer. On Aug. 31, 1963, she married Ralph James Thompson Jr., in Chicago. He died Dec. 3, 1998, in Elkhart.

Mrs. Thompson is survived by two brothers, Clarence Dyer Jr. of Chicago and Dr. Bernard Dyer of Los Angeles; and two sisters, Mildred Cabell of Margate and Anne Heilman of Kingston, N.C.

Mrs. Thompson taught grades K-3 in the Chicago Public School system for many years. She was a member of the North Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Elkhart, before moving to Florida to be with family several years ago.

There will be no visitation or service. Cremation has taken place.

Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.