Mattie Sherill Thompson
Mrs. Leonard Thompson Dies
Mrs. Leonard (Mattie) Thompson, 62, of Lusk died last Thursday at Torrington. Funeral services were held from the Peet Mortuary in Lusk Monday at 2:00 p.m. Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery.
The Rev. Fred Bolinger of the First Baptist Church of Lusk officiated. Mrs. J. P. Watson accompanied Rick Kilmer as he sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Softly and Tenderly."
Casket bearers were Roscoe Kilmer, Venus Kilmer, Paul Morgan, Bill Smith, Everett Kilmer and Charles Sullivan.
Honorary bearers were Gust Krein, Russell Kilmer, Charles Quigley, Hank Montgomery, Robert Templeton, Mike Kilmer, Jack Magoon, L. T. Bonner and George Christian.
Mattie Sherill Thompson, daughter of Gene and Carey Smith, was born May 18, 1907, in Marion County, Virginia. She received her education in Virginia and lived there until 1959 when she moved to Lusk. December 5, 1957, she married Leonard Thompson at Parisberg, Va. Mrs. Thompson was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lusk.
It was only in recent years that Mrs. Thompson discovered her talents as a primitive artist. Elmer Halseth, director of the Fine Arts Center at Rock Springs and art critic, was her agent.
On hearing of her death, Mr. Halseth said, "It seems difficult to understand that Mattie, so talented in her artistry, had such a short time for her creative work that was becoming recognized statewide with possibilities of national acceptance in the foreseeable future. Her talents would have won acclaim nationally had she gained a few additional months to create additional exciting and appealing paintings. I must say that Wyoming has lost a great artist in the passing of Mattie Thompson."
In the years she lived in Lusk she has baked many artistic cakes for weddings and special occasions.
Her parents, husband Charles Wilson Quinn, one son and 10 brothers and sisters died previously.
Survivors include her widower Leonard of the family home; two daughters, Christine McKenzie of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Clarice Butto of Lewisberg, Va.; one son, Eugene Zane Quinn of LaSalle, Utah; three stepchildren, Aubrey Thompson, Evelyn Pullen, both of Lewisberg and Darrell Thompson of Gainsville, Fla.; seven brothers, five sisters, 10 grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.