Norma Jane Thompson, 90, of Columbia, died on July 31, 2025. Born on March 11, 1935, in St. Joseph, MO, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin Magnus and the late Bertha Jane Magnus.
Norma spent many years of her life as a labor and delivery nurse. Eighteen of those years, she spent at Baptist Hospital. Prior to her years as nurse, she was a military wife, serving in various countries around the world.
One of her greatest blessings was her grandchildren. "Grandma Days" were very important to her as she spent time eating at CiCi's pizza, going to the movies, and shopping with her grandchildren. As the grandchildren grew older, she began the hobby of scrapbooking. Norma created many special memories on weekend scrapbooking trips to Spartanburg.
Norma also cherished her fur baby, Libby, and multiple grand cats, dogs, goats and donkeys.
Norma is survived by two daughters, Vicky Lewis (Glenn, deceased) and Debbie Hilyer (Warren); grandchildren, Melissa (Sean), Chris (Courtney), David Alex, Ben (Kaitlyn), Casey (Kris), Shawn (Amanda), Bubba Greg (Cheryl), Wendy (Eric); great grandchildren Baylee (Alex), Landon, Caden, Clea, Sammie, Owen; five additional great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Norma is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Dave; in-laws, Robert and Marie Thompson; son-in- laws, Traye Bradley, Glenn Lewis and Sandy Smith.
The funeral service for Mrs. Thompson will be held at 1 o'clock, Wednesday, August 6th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. Burial will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 11 o'clock.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at
www.woundedwarriorproject.org
or to your local animal shelter.