Marianne Mann Thompson (Marty) died peacefully in her sleep on June 27, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family. She was an important figure in the community of Lake Charles, La., and will be deeply missed.
Marty was born in Laurel, Miss., on Oct. 31, 1950, to William Stillwell Mann and Marianne Hewitt Mann. She grew up in Mobile, AL and attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. There she met her husband of 51 years, Dr. Ben F. Thompson III. They were married in Birmingham, Ala., on Aug. 7, 1971. They lived in New Orleans before moving to Birmingham, and finally to Lake Charles in 1982.
Marty’s intellect was inspiring to all those whose lives she touched. She was said to have a PhD in common sense. She was the Azalea Trail Queen in Mobile, AL in 1968. Marty’s father was an Episcopal priest and she continued his legacy in her efforts. Once in Lake Charles, she served on the Board of Directors of the Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School before being elected its Chair. She served on the finance committee and as the Senior Warden of the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. She was the President of the Lake Charles Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association and Chair of its Hospitality Committee. Marty loved music, particularly classical music. She devoted her time to the Lake Charles Symphony, and ultimately served as President of its Board of Directors.
In addition to her community involvement and contributions, Marty was a tireless mother of four children, a very loving wife, and fiercely loyal and devoted to her friends. She was uniformly known as a remarkable cook, feeding friends who would conveniently stop by at mealtimes. Her sharpness and sensibility provided a refreshing sense of humor. She was a fearless traveler. She was well-read on most topics and was a crushing Scrabble opponent.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Ben F. Thompson III; her children, Ben (his wife, Christine Lamsvelt, and their children, Hugo and Lucie Jo, in Irvington, NY), Michael (his wife, Traci, and their children, Charles and Benjamin, in Baton Rouge), Jeffrey (his wife, Laura, and their children, Emily and Hannah, in Merion Station, Pa.), Marian Sherbenou (her husband, Daniel Sherbenou, and their children, Hewitt, Baxter, Mary, and Penny, in Denver, Colo.). She is also survived by her brothers, William Mann (his wife, Carol, in Washington, N.C.) and David Mann (his wife, Carol, in Madison, Miss.), and her sister, Penny Mann (in Brevard, N.C.).
Her memorial service will be at 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, followed by a reception in Hardtner Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to either the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 715 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 or to the Lake Charles Symphony at https://www.lcsymphony.com/.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.