Sheila Thompson

Sheila Fay (De Soto) Thompson, age 69, of Odessa, Texas, stepped into glory December 20, 2021, at Medical Center Hospital with her faithful, loving husband at her side. She fought a long battle with cancer until God called her home.

Sheila was born May 30, 1952, in Hobbs, New Mexico. She earned her bachelor’s degree of education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and her master’s degree in education at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. She taught at ECISD over 35 years. She loved teaching and investing her life in her students. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Odessa since 1980. Sheila and her husband, Marcus, loved being involved in their Sunday School class and life group where they formed many lifelong friendships.

Her many acts of kindness included remembering birthdays, giving showers for both weddings and babies, assisting in moves of many, calling Bingo at nursing homes, and sharing Jesus with anyone she came in contact with.

Sheila mentored and inspired other educators to teach children in a loving environment while inspiring them to be life-long readers. She was often stopped by former students who thanked her for teaching them to love reading.

Sheila had a memory like no other. Things you told her stuck with her so well because her heart was truly invested in every word you were saying. If you walked into her home, you would find a board with about 50 names of people she was praying for; and she would tell you the needs of each. Even in chemotherapy treatments, she would text her family prayer group every week with a name of someone she had met, and petition prayer for them and their family. Even when she could have been asking for prayers for herself, she asked for prayers for others.

If she knew you, she loved and prayed for you. She was a fiercely loyal friend, teacher, sister, daughter, aunt, and mother. There was no better person to have on your side. Sheila knew who she was and what her purpose on this earth was for; and it was to love deeply in the way God showed us love.

Sheila is survived by her devoted husband of 45 years, Marcus Paul Thompson, of Odessa, Texas; son, Michael Thompson and wife Bree of Frisco, Texas; son, John Paul Thompson of Ruidoso, New Mexico; sister, Kathleen Pryer and husband Ronnie of Hobbs, New Mexico; brother, Richard De Soto and wife Jo Beth of Plainview, Texas; and a host brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. She was known as “Aunt She-She” by her great nieces and nephews whom she loved and adored. She is preceded in death by her parents, Buddy and Mary De Soto, and brother-in-law, Danny De Soto.

Viewing will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, December 22,2021 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, December 23, 2021, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Reverend Charles Osborne officiating.

Memorial service to follow at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Odessa with Reverend Curtis Brewer officiating.