Edna Thompson

Edna was born November 16, 1933, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to Joe and Francis Stevens.   Edna was the youngest of eight siblings.  She attended school in Rexroat and Wilson, Oklahoma, starting early at the age of four.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, 5 sisters, a son, Rickey Lee Whitehead, and a grandson, Curtis Lee Whitehead.

Edna’s husband, David Leo Thompson, of the home survives her.

Other survivors include:

Daughter – Sharon Whitehead Gilmore, Tularosa, New Mexico; Granddaughter - Lisa Eddleman and husband, Brandon, Kiowa Lake, Texas; Great grandchildren – Britten Eddleman, Kiowa Lake, Texas, currently in Military service, and Brock Eddleman, Kiowa Lake, Texas, currently in Military service         Grandson, Brandon Lee, Austin, Texas.

Son – Phillip Whitehead and wife, Jacqueline, White Deer, Texas; Grandson – Ryan Connell and partner, Nick Zammit, Fall River, Massachusetts; Grandson – Jason Walker and wife, Nikki, Collinsville, Oklahoma                                 Great grandchildren – Hanna Walker, Hayden Walker, Emma Walker, and Rowan Walker, all of Collinsville, Oklahoma; Grandson – Taylor Whitehead and wife, Hannah, Amarillo, Texas; Great grandchild – Winnie Whitehead, Amarillo, Texas.

Son – Russell Whitehead, Tularosa, New Mexico; Granddaughter – Alicia Whitehead and husband, Esau Lindsey, Amarillo, Texas; Great grandchild – Bailey Whitehead

Granddaughter, Stacey Benton and husband Jason of Pampa, TX; great granddaughters, Cassidey Ramming, Brooke Smith and husband Levi all of Pampa, TX.

Edna is also survived by three cats, Brett, Shane and Jackson, and many nieces and nephews.

Edna was never idle.  She worked as assistance manager of Ashley’s Department Store in Pampa, Texas as a young mother and used weekends to start her own sales business in Amarillo, Texas.  With her husband, David, they expanded their sales business into southwest designs, creating much of the southwest- style art and home décor they sold.    They began taking their sales business outside Amarillo working at trade and craft shows.  Their love of Native American Jewelry, Art, and History led them to New Mexico and the opening of their beloved shop ‘The Hummingbird’ in The Gazebo on Sudderth Drive in Ruidoso.   David and Edna co-owned and operated The Hummingbird for over 40 years, over 31 years in the Gazebo location.  David and Edna didn’t retire until Edna was age 86, and then only when the Covid pandemic forced them to consider the feasibility of continuing work safely.

The Hummingbird was a dream and an adventure that Edna was especially well equipped to guide to its fullest potential.  She was principled, hardworking, creative, friendly, and she loved people and being a hostess.  She made great friends, many life long, from the business relationships with Native American artists and from shoppers lucky enough to wander into The Hummingbird.

As much as Edna loved her life’s work, her greatest joy always came from her family.  Stories of she and her sisters’ antics and laughter are often told by her children.    Her grandchildren speak of her fun-loving, sweet spirit and of her skills at all games, especially Black Jack and Texas Hold ‘Em, played at family gatherings.  “Grandma” was known to be a tough cookie and a tough competitor.  She is revered by all of her family as the ultimate positive thinker, the rock of the family always pointing to the bright side and positive outcomes in the face of any dilemma.

Edna was the rock of her family and will be missed by everyone privileged to know her.

Her funeral service will be Tuesday, January 18, at 11:00 A.M. at J Bar J Country Church with burial at the Ruidoso Hondo Valley Cemetery.