Anita Lou Thompson

Anita Lou Petty Thompson of Lexington, Virginia formerly of Buchanan passed into eternity on

Monday April 7, 2025. Anita was born in the family home on February 23 rd , 1942, the third child of

Frank William and Louise Rycroft Petty. As the middle child, Anita defied convention, made her own

imprint on life and honed her artistic eye and creativity. She was one of six siblings raised in a rural

community once full of children from similar backgrounds. She walked to Willow Grove School,

attended Cedar Bluff Baptist Church, participated in 4-H and Vacation Bible School, enjoyed

rambunctious play but also at an early age had daily chores which instilled in her the principles of

hardwork, responsibility, and decency. In that small area, no one had much money but the shared

lifestyle and values of that time made those who grew up there rich in the ways that counted most.

Anita banked every one of those childhood experiences in her marvelous memory and drew

bountifully from them for all the days of her life.

At age 10, Anita was one of two children in the neighborhood to contract polio and although spared

the crippling effects as a child, the disease manifested again later in her life as Post Polio Syndrome

which caused severe muscle weakness and exacerbated health issues normally related to aging.

Despite all of this, Anita remained resolute in her approach to life and inspired many of her family

and friends with her tenacity.

When Anita was 19 she served as a bridesmaid in her older sister Helen’s wedding and there she

met a handsome young man named Don Thompson. She and Don married 6 months later and

moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where Don was serving in the U.S. Army. After he completed his

military service, they moved back to Virginia and vowed never to leave their home state again. They

were blessed in 1963 with the birth of their only child, Jeff and eventually settled in the

Charlottesville area for Don’s work with AT&T. Upon retirement, they moved back to Buchanan to

the community that Anita loved so much and where they had the opportunity to visit with family

and friends daily bringing them both so much enjoyment.

In addition to her parents, Anita was predeceased by her husband Robert “Don” Thompson, her

Sister Helen Wootton, Brother Billy Petty, Brothers in law Charles Wootton, Roy Alexander, Dale

Samuelson, Howard, Edward, Harold and Johnny Thompson and sisters in law Lillian Samuelson, and

Marivance Thompson.

Anita is survived by her beloved son and primary care giver, Robert Jeff Thompson and her daughter

in law, Sandra who shared their home with Anita for the past 3 years. She is also survived by her

grandchildren, Dr. Jefferson Thompson and friend Miranda Goodman of Johnson City, Tennessee,

twin grand daughters, Jillian Burford and her husband Tim of Verona and Jordyn Thompson of

Lexington; sisters Linda Alexander, Becky Hannah (Scott), and Janie Harris (Will); sisters in law Sandy

Petty and Louise Thompson; numerous nieces and nephews who considered her the matriarch of

their large clan, scores of cousins and friends who shared in her simple childhood adventures and

who loved her dearly.

Anita was provided comfort and companionship by her caregivers and friends Dale Austin and Becky

Williams and the many nurses and aides who assisted with her home care.

Visitation will be held from 12pm - 1pm with funeral services at 1pm on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in

the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Home with Scott Hannah, Janie Harris and Jeff Thompson

officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Those wishing to honor Anita’s memory

with a memorial donation please consider the Cedar Bluff Baptist Church, P.O. Box 915, Buchanan,

VA 24066 or New Freedom Farm, 6118 Lithia Rd., Buchanan, VA 24066.