Joe Dudley Thompson

Mr. Joe Dudley Thompson, age 77, of Hazel, Kentucky passed away Thursday, December 15th, 2022, at Baptist Health in Paducah Kentucky.

He was a graduate of Puryear High School in Puryear, Tennessee. He was a rural route carrier for the United States Postal Service and retired in June of 2019 after 32 years of service. He also worked as a farmer for many years. Before his time with the Postal Service he worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C. He also worked at the family owned Hazel Sawmill Company for many years. Mr. Thompson was an active member of the community. He was former Mayor of Hazel, Kentucky and has served as a Hazel City Councilman and an active member of the Hazel Lion's Club for many years. He was a member of Woodman of the World, Murray, Kentucky chapter. He was the President of the West Kentucky and Tennessee Rural Telephone Co-Op Board of Directors for several years and has served on the Board of Directors for a total of 41 years.

He was an active member of the Hazel Church of Christ, and a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Baseball was his most favorite sport.

Joe was born on December 26, 1944, in Puryear, Tennessee to the late Atkins Thompson and Thelma Myrle Vandyke Thompson.

He married Marla Faye Lassiter on December 6, 1963, who preceded him in death.

He is survived by his two daughters, Denise Thompson Provine of Hazel, Kentucky and Holly Thompson Peale (Patrick) of Paris, Tennessee; granddaughter, Macy Joe Lamer; sister, Vanita Paschall of Puryear, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Myra Thompson of Puryear, Tennessee; two brothers-in-law, Randy Lassiter of Hazel, Kentucky and David Lassiter (Cheryl) of Buchanan, Tennessee; as well several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Eddie Thompson (infant), Jerry Thompson, and Van Thompson.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the Hazel Church of Christ with burial following in the Hazel Cemetery. John Dale and Mackie Gallimore will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. An additional visitation will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Hazel Cemetery Fund, c/o Beth Mangrum, 1437 Old Whitlock Road, Puryear, Tennessee 38251.

Online condolences can be made at, www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com