Laura Bethel ”Gurty” Wilson Thompson, 78, of Arnoldsburg passed away Thursday, April 19, 2018 at her residence with her family by her side after a long illness. She was born March 8, 1940 in Clay County a daughter of the late Pat and Violet Suttle Wilson.

Laura was a former member of the Silver Haired Legislature, she worked closely with Gov. Wise and Gov. Rockefeller on different Senior Health Care issues. She was a former Head Start Coordinator and a Certified Nursing Assistant. She was a former restaurant owner and delivered the Charleston Gazette. In her spare time, she enjoyed planting flowers, gardening, canning and going fishing.

Surviving is her husband of over 35 years, Wayne Jackson Thompson, daughters, Patricia Runnion of Arnoldsburg and Vickie Knight of Mineral Wells; brothers, Foster Wilson of Calhoun County, Randy Wilson of Calhoun County, Gary Wilson of Sutton, and sisters, Wanda Carpenter of Summersville, Loretta Moore of Covington, Virginia and Linda Wilson of Calhoun County; 10 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, daughter Velva Hall, siblings Aretta Wilson and Pat Wilson preceded her in death.

Service will be 12:00 Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at Morris Funeral Home, Cowen with Pastor Jerry Sears officiating. Burial will follow at West Virginia Memorial Gardens, Calvin. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Monday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.morrisfuneralhomecowenwv.com.

Services entrusted to the care of Morris Funeral Home.