Obituaries: Tara Thompson, Sabine Parish T-512 Source: Sabine Index, Many, La., Mar 22, 1979 Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck carlrad@earthlink.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Tara Thompson (Photo) Over 200 friends, relatives, and former classmates paid a final tribute to young Tara Thompson Saturday, March 17, at 4 p.m. Funeral services were held in the chapel of Boone Funeral Home in Bossier City. A red rose spray rested atop a light blue casket, which was surrounded by numerous floral arrangements, sprays, and pot plants. Flanking the casket was a red heart spray, and a blue cross spray. As friends and classmates filled the pews in the chapel, prayerful music played softly in the background. Quiet moments passed as the family entered and was seated in a small roof off the chapel. 'Now the Day Is Over' was sung, and the ministers entered the chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Perry Lassiter of West Monroe, Rev. Lassiter was formerly pastor of Many's First Baptist Church. Assisting were Dr. Red Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Many, and Dr. Barry Landrum, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bossier City. Dr. Smith welcomed those present to the memorial service. "Tara Thompson was born on July 6, 1957, in Natchez, Miss.," Dr. Smith began. "She was 21 years old at the time of her death. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Many." "I'd like to express to you, on behalf of the family, how much your presence here today means," Dr. Smith continued. "They are thankful for your prayers and love, and for sharing their grief." Dr. Smith quoted from the Book of Luke, Chapter 24, when the followers of Jesus came looking for Him in the garden tomb. "They couldn't find Him, and they were asked 'Why seek ye the living among the dead?' He is not here, but is risen." Other words from John were quoted by the Many minister, before a prayer was spoken by Dr. Landrum. He pointed out in his prayer that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Rev. Lassiter read a poem about having a friend in the heavens. "Tara has gone to meet her friend," he said. "She established her relationship with Christ many years ago. Today she has met her friend." "Don't let anyone say that Tara's death was the will of God," he stated. "Such a violent way of death was not in His will." "We must remember that God permits each of us to do things against His will," Rev. Lassiter continued. "It is worth yours and mine remembering that we can sin against God and hurt others. This, indeed, is the tragedy of sin." "Let no one say that her leaving was the active will of God," he stated. "But don't let anyone say her life was useless, or that God can't bring something good out of this tragedy." She had fought her way through the teenage years, and into early adulthood," he pointed out. "She discovered that she could do things, dream things, and become something. She had begun to plant her feet on firm ground." "She had known joy and happiness, and had given it to others," he continued. "She had the capacity to give warmth to her friends. She caused many good things to happen to other people," he noted. "Let us celebrate that Tara lived." "Let no one say, in the face of tragedy, that God cannot take a situation like this, with His power, wisdom, and love, and bring forth something good," Rev. Lassiter said. "There is nothing that can happen, so bad, so tragic, or so evil, that God can't take His love and power, and bring from it that which is good." "The Christian faith is founded on the tragedy of a young man who was 30 years old," Rev. Lassiter reminded. "He was arrested and nailed to the cross." "Whatever sin man may commit, it could never match that sin of placing Christ on the cross," he said. "Yet, out of that violent death, God brought forth the great miracles of the resurrection," he noted. "If He has that kind of power to transform that tragedy into salvation and eternal life, then that same God can take this situation and bring something good from it." Comforting words were directed to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Neal Thompson of Bossier City; her grandmother, Mrs. Gladys Thompson of Jena; her brother, Todd; and other relatives. "Entrust Tara's life unto His hands, and entrust our lives, even now, unto His keeping," Rev. Lassiter asked. A prayer followed, and the services were brought to a close. Approximately 60 cars formed the funeral procession for a ten minute ride to Hill Crest Cemetery. City Policemen stood at attention at intersections with their hands over their hearts. At 4:45 p.m., the service resumed at the graveside. Bearing the casket to the gravesite were pallbearers, John McConathy, Max Rudd, Don Johnson, and Sonny Tauton, all of Bossier City, and Larry Skinner, and Tommy Quarles of Many. The cemetery, located atop a hill on the outskirts of town, offered solemn beauty to the services. A cool breeze blew as the setting sun offered a serene mood to those bidding goodbye to their friend. Ms. Thompson was laid to rest just north of a huge oak tree, which provided shade on the crest of the hill. To the west was a two tiered marble fountain, with flowing water. A quiet garden atmosphere prevailed as more prayer was offered by the ministers. Several roses were plucked from the casket spray and given to loved ones at the close of the service. Friends offered their sympathy to the family before journeying towards home. Numerous residents of Many were in attendance, along with close schoolmates from the Many High class of 1975. Everyone will remember Tara as a vivacious, friendly girl, who had a host of friends. She moved to Many from Bossier City in August 1970, just before entering 8th grade at Many Junior High. A member of the 1975 graduating class at Many High, Tara was always active in school activities. She was a member of the French Club, FHA, and on school paper staff for one year. She served on the Float Committee, and was a Pep Squad member for two years. During her junior year, she was a Junior Varsity Cheerleader. During her senior year, she was elected as Senior Homecoming Maid. In Who's Who that year, she was first runner-up to Wittiest. Tara's fun loving sense of humor brought joy into many friends lives. Her greatest ambition was to obtain her pilot's license by the time she was 25, and to be more like her parents. Hobbies included horseback riding, photography, and water sports. She liked music by Bruce Springsteen, and the movie, "Saturday Night Fever'. John Travolta was her favorite actor. Pizza and Pepsi were other favorites, along with the color blue. In her leisure time, she enjoyed listening to music and being with friends. Following high school graduation, she attended the Sabine Valley Vocational Technical School, where she completed the secretarial course. She also attended Mr. Lynn's Modeling School in Shreveport. During the 1977-78 school year, she was employed as a secretary at Many High. She also took a real estate class and a photography class at night at Community College in Shreveport. She had recently enrolled in a drama class there. Employed at Century 21 in Many, Tara had embarked on a career as a real estate agent in January. On November 16, 1977, she was married to James D. Pearson in Monroe. They were separated last December. Tara and her best friend, Patti Peterson McCormic had been residing with Patti's mother since a fire destroyed their home on March 7. They were in the process of moving into a house in Fisher. Tara will be remembered as an attractive blonde, who had a zest for life. She was loved by many, and will be missed by all.