By Beverly Belcher Woody
Some lives leave such a deep mark upon a community that their influence remains long after their earthly work is done. Such was the life of Elder Samuel Amos Thompson—lawyer, preacher, public servant, educator, husband, father, and friend—whose name belongs among the most respected citizens in the history of Stuart and Patrick County.
From The Enterprise, July 12, 1934, we learn that the town of Stuart and the surrounding communities were “shocked and grieved” to hear of the passing of Elder Samuel Amos Thompson on Friday evening, July 8, 1934. He was remembered as one of Patrick County’s most beloved and highly respected citizens.
For several years, Elder Thompson had been in declining health, and more than a year before his death, his condition had forced his retirement from active business life. The immediate cause of his death was hypostatic pneumonia, which followed an acute septic sore throat that developed on Tuesday night, July 3rd.
Samuel Amos Thompson was born November 18, 1869, near Poplar Camp Creek in Patrick County, the son of the late William Pleasant Thompson and Sarah Agnes Hall Thompson. Most of his early boyhood was spent at the Thompson Homestead on Widgeon Creek.
In 1887, when Samuel was just 18 years old, sorrow came to the Thompson family in a way few hearts could bear. Samuel was the oldest child and the only son in a household that included six sisters. Within the span of less than three weeks, diphtheria swept through the family and took four of those beloved girls.
On the 11th of October 1887, Samuel’s 15-year-old sister, Martha Emaline Thompson, died of diphtheria. Just two days later, on the 13th of October 1887, his 14-year-old sister, Laura, also passed away from the same terrible disease. Then, on the 30th of October 1887, the family suffered an almost unimaginable loss when 12-year-old Dora and 10-year-old Mary both died of diphtheria.
For a young man standing on the edge of adulthood, such grief must have left a lasting mark. Samuel would have carried not only the memory of his sisters, but also the weight of what his parents endured and what his family had lost.
Only two of Samuel’s sisters lived to adulthood: Sallie Thompson Helms and Ada Ethel Thompson Bryant. From those painful Patrick County beginnings, Samuel Amos Thompson would go on to build a life of remarkable service—one shaped, perhaps, by loss, compassion, faith, and a deep understanding of the fragility of life.
Samuel attended the Blue Ridge Institute at Vesta in early manhood. He then received his higher education at William and Mary College in Williamsburg and became a law graduate of Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. In June 1896, he was admitted to the Bar at Stuart and practiced throughout Patrick and adjoining counties, where his ability as a chancery lawyer was in unusual demand during his active practice.
Yet Elder Thompson’s work was never confined to the courtroom alone.
He joined the Primitive Baptist Church in September 1895 at Charity, and from that time forward, he was involved in every phase of the work. The Enterprise described him as “a true disciple of his Master, earnestly contending for the faith.” He began preaching in 1910, first appearing at Green Hill, and was ordained a short time afterward. For several years, he served as pastor of Green Hill Church. He was also largely instrumental in organizing a body of his faith in Stuart and in the building of the Stuart Primitive Baptist Church, where he served as pastor until the time of his death. His deep faith, close adherence to his religious principles, and sincerity in delivery made him an outstanding figure in the Primitive Baptist Association.
On August 17, 1896, Samuel Amos Thompson married Miss Martha Ruth Wright of Dodson, Virginia, thus uniting two old Patrick County families. Miss Martha was the daughter of Nash Jefferson Wright and Nancy Jane Via Wright. Shortly after their marriage, Samuel and Martha built a beautiful home at the head of Chestnut Avenue. In the early 1990s, their great-grandson, Donny Rakes, and his wife, Rhonda Haden Rakes, lovingly restored the beautiful home to its former glory.
In that home on Chestnut Avenue, Samuel and Martha raised four children.
Their son, Murray Edward Thompson, born in 1897 and died in 1983, served as Commissioner of the Revenue of Patrick County for more than 30 years. Murray married registered nurse Miss Naomi Ingram of Stokes County, North Carolina. Naomi was the daughter of Charles Glen Ingram and Carolea Newsome.
In the 1920’s and 30’s, Murray Thompson was also the editor and manager of the Enterprise, and the owners were Murray, sister Vergie, brother Wm. Nash, and their father, Samuel.
Their daughter, Miss Vergie Lee Thompson, born in 1900 and died in 1967, spent 43 years dedicated to educating the children of Patrick County. Miss Thompson later married Thomas Isaac Tilley, a widower from Lawsonville, North Carolina, when she was 58 years old. It was her first and only marriage.
Their son, Dr. William Nash Thompson, born in 1903 and died in 1980, was a beloved physician who became famously known for bringing more than 5,000 Patrick County babies into the world. Dr. Thompson married registered nurse Miss Opal Ingram, the youngest sister of Naomi Ingram.
Their daughter, Miss Sammie Ruth Thompson, born in 1910 and died in 1992, married Donald Ballou Church. According to The Ballous in America: an Addendum to the Original History and Genealogy of the Ballous in America, Supplement 1, by the Massachusetts Historical Records Survey:
“Donald Ballou Church attended Washington H. S., and two years at Whitman College, in Walla Walla. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was sub-master (1937) of Mt. Home Lodge No. 263, A. F. & A. M. at Stuart, Va. Before settling in Stuart in 1928, he lived a roaming and somewhat colorful life, —logging in Idaho, ranching in Washington and California, working for the U. S. Secret Service in Oregon, and traveling as a Davey Tree expert in Missouri and Kentucky. He managed apple orchards near Stuart since 1928 as well as making hand-turned chairs (antique reproductions) of solid black walnut and wild cherry. Mrs. Church was educated in the grade and high schools of Stuart and at the National Business College. Before her marriage she was her father’s secretary in his law office.”
The Thompson family was one deeply rooted in service, education, faith, medicine, and public life. In many ways, their lives reflected the values Elder Thompson had lived and taught.
One of Elder Thompson’s lasting contributions to Stuart was his role in the founding and building of Stuart Primitive Baptist Church. In a piece from the December 19, 1940, copy of The Enterprise, Hon. S. G. Dobyns wrote “A History of Stuart Primitive Baptist Church” and gave credit where he believed it was due:
“In addition to being responsible for bringing Stuart High School to Patrick and many other civic activities, one man is responsible for the founding of Stuart Primitive Baptist Church and for the erection of the building for worship. To Hon. S. A. Thompson justly goes the credit. It was through his efforts that a place of worship was secured in the school building. He bought and donated the lot and also contributed several hundred dollars toward erecting the building. He continued to contribute to the church as long as he lived.”
Dobyns explained that for several years, Primitive Baptist ministers occasionally came to preach at Stuart, but to arrange meetings, it was necessary to get permission from other churches to hold services in their houses. Though the other churches were kind, it was felt that Primitive Baptist ministers would be more at home in a building belonging to their own church. From this need, the idea was suggested, and a movement began to build a Primitive Baptist Church in Stuart.
In June 1914, Elder S. A. Thompson, an attorney-at-law by profession, rented the Stuart High School auditorium for use by the Primitive Baptists until a church could be built. Services were held every third Sunday because there were no Primitive Baptist meetings within a radius of twelve or fifteen miles of the town on that date.
These meetings were well attended. Elders Joel E. Marshall, J. M. Dickerson, J. R. Wilson, and others preached with Elder Thompson as often as they could attend.
A lot was purchased for $400.00 and donated by Elder Thompson, and work began on the building.
When the new house was completed, the first meeting was held on the third Sunday in July 1915. Preaching was conducted by Elders E. M. Barnard and J. M. Dickerson. At that first meeting, it was decided to hold meetings on Saturday as well as Sunday.
Elder Thompson’s work in Patrick County extended far beyond the church. In the activities of the town and county, he was always a leader. He served as mayor of Stuart for over 20 years, represented Patrick County in the State Legislature, served as Clerk of the local Exemption Board during World War I, and for many years served as Clerk of the School Board of the County. Much of the credit for establishing an accredited high school in Stuart and for the erection of the present Graded School Building was given to him. His work in the educational field for his town and county was described as untiring.
His funeral services were held Sunday at eleven o’clock by Elder Joel E. Marshall, assisted by the local choir. Prayer and songs at the home were followed by a brief service at the grave. Interment was made in Stuart Cemetery, amid one of the loveliest floral tributes and in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends.
The active pallbearers were J. M. Hooker, J. B. Smith, J. S. Taylor, F. P. Burton, J. C. Shockley, L. G. Cockram, E. L. Clark, Sr., and J. F. Reynolds Sr.
Honorary pallbearers consisted of his associates at the Bar and prominent citizens throughout this and adjoining counties who were among his close friends.
Flower girls were selected from among relatives and friends of the family.
The Enterprise closed its report by noting that since Elder Thompson had retired from the active business world, his loss had already been keenly felt, and his departure would now be felt by all who knew him and called him “friend.”
One week later, on July 19, 1934, The Enterprise printed “A Tribute of Respect,” written by Hughes Gilbert. His words captured the depth of Elder Thompson’s influence:
“It has been said that very few souls are given the power of forming and carrying to a successful conclusion many great undertakings. But Hon. Samuel Amos Thompson, whose passing has been recently mourned, surely approached being one of these privileged few when he closed such an enviable record of service and usefulness. Born as a mountain boy in comparative obscurity, removed far from the opportunity of modern facilities, and suffering permanent physical afflictions early in life, he surmounted the overwhelming odds, and equipped himself for his life’s work—the Law and public service. Practically every civic endeavor in this community has received his labors and felt the force of his moral support.”
The tribute continued:
“While the practice of law was Elder Thompson’s chosen profession, he was continually holding some position of public trust and responsibility, from local office to Legislative Halls. Modest in manner, conscientious in service, submissive to defeat, humble in triumph, he lived his life and reared a family that reflects credit to his name. A life full of duties and bearing the handicap of his physical infirmities uncomplainingly, he found time to help others. Not satisfied in being a ‘self-made’ man, he was frequently assisting poor boys toward an education. Many a young man, struggling along the rugged road to knowledge, owe much of the realization of their ambition to his material assistance and to his encouragement and inspiration. Many feel no doubt that their debt of gratitude cannot be paid in full until they too can pass on their hopes and aspirations to the rewards for others similarly inclined.”
Hughes Gilbert also wrote beautifully of Elder Thompson’s two callings:
“We might say that Eld. Thompson served a dual profession—the practice of law and the preaching of the gospel. In these two professions few, if any, excelled him in loyalty to the law and consecration to the ministry. For more than a quarter of a century, the court room and the walls of the church have resounded with his eloquence and sincerity. Philanthropic by nature, he was never too busy to lend a sympathetic ear to the troubles of his fellowmen. The needy and destitute always found in him a warm heart, a soothing voice and a helping hand. He would rejoice with the happy or pray at the bedside of the sorrowing; he would bless the new born or comfort the wounded and dying; he would plead for the unfortunate before the court or preach for the sinner at the altar; he has adorned the pulpit and honored the Bar. His influence must be felt by many with whom he came in contact far into the future, and view the fruits of his labors on every hand. Can we do better than build to the type and character of this man who must be the recipient of the Celestial Reward.”
The tribute was signed simply:
“His friend,
Hughes Gilbert.”
Few men leave behind such a record. Elder Samuel Amos Thompson helped shape Stuart as a town, Patrick County as a community, and generations of young people through his support of education. He gave his mind to the law, his voice to the pulpit, his strength to public service, and his heart to the people around him.
He was remembered as a lawyer, preacher, mayor, legislator, school leader, husband, father, and friend—but perhaps most of all, he was remembered as a man who used his gifts in service to others.
And that is the kind of life Patrick County does not forget.
As we look back on the life of Elder Samuel Amos Thompson, we are reminded that true leadership is not measured only in titles held or offices filled, but in lives touched, burdens lifted, and communities strengthened. His work helped build schools, churches, families, and futures. Though many years have passed since his voice echoed in the courtroom and the church house, the good he did still speaks across the hills of Patrick County.
For questions, comments, or story ideas, please contact Woody at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com or 276-692-9626.
