Cheryl Ann Thompson

Cheryl Laughlin Thompson was born on April 5, 1953, in Elkhart, Indiana, to the late Richard Henry Laughlin and Joyce Kiefer Strintz.  She is survived by her four children:  LIssa (Gene) Conley of Newcomerstown, OH; Marshall (Melissa) Miller of Elkton, MD; Jason Miller and Dennis Thompson of Maryland.   Surviving Cheryl is a sister, Cindy Spears, and three brothers, Richard, Christopher (Shelley) and Michael, all residing in Indiana. She had four grandchildren: Breanna, Linda,  Preston and Marshall and one great grandchild, Starla.  

Cheryl had many friends and co-workers who remained close to her after retirement from Virginia Tech.  Three special friends were Marion Eaton, Pat Caldwell and Samantha Fenton. She shared 23 years of her life with her best friend and partner, Janet Francis.  Also, Cheryl received care and love from the nurses and aids in Unit 3 at Heritage Hall in Richcreek, VA. They speak highly of Cheryl and said she always made them laugh and made bad days better. 

Cheryl was an extraordinary person. She was a gifted artist, photographer and quilter.  She retired from Virginia Tech in 2015 where she worked as an Acquisitions Specialist in Newman Library. After the shooting in April, 2007, Cheryl created two paintings that are on permanent display in Special Collections and Holtzman Alumni Hall at Virginia Tech.

Cheryl had an adventurous spirit and always rooted for the underdog.  She will be greatly missed by family and friends. There will be a celebration of life at a later date to be announced. 

"Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

You were bigger than the whole sky"

Online condolences can be sent to the family at givensfuneralhome.com.