Yemasse,SC-

Deacon Avery Clayton Thompson, Sr. was born on September 2, 1956 in Brooklyn New York to Elder Robert Arnell Thompson, Jr. and Lady Ruby Alexander Thompson. During his early days, he attended P.S. 219 in Brooklyn, NY. Also, he worshiped at Mount Sinai Church of God in Christ, where he was active in the youth and music ministry. 

As a teenager, he relocated to South Carolina, where he graduated from Wade Hampton High School and worshiped at Greater Harvest Church of God in Christ. While a student at Wade Hampton, he was an avid basketball player receiving numerous awards including induction to the Hall of Fame. He will always be remembered as the first commissioner of the Hampton County Junior Hornets Youth basketball program. Avery also possessed a passion for fishing, but his award-wining catch would include: red breast, bream, bass. 

Avery loved music; singing, training voices, and especially playing the lead guitar. As a youth, Avery, along with several male cousins, formed a group at Mt. Sinia COGIC called “House Wrecking Highlights” in which he led many of the songs. In his late teens, he sang and recorded with The Soul Survivors. Also, he played his guitar and sang for several churches including churches across the nation.

He was united in holy matrimony to the former Verta Mae Grant on July 4, 1975. He was a medic in the United State Army and served the South Carolina National Guard. This Union was blessed with four children. 
During his later years, while living in Maryland, he accepted Christ as his personal savior and served as a faithful deacon, musician and sound technician at New Bethel Church of God in Christ in Washington D.C. Avery loved people and especially his family. He loved his children and grandchildren with much affection and was pleased with all of their accomplishments. He had a musical bond with his siblings and they had much in common. 

On Monday morning April 3, 2017, God called Avery from labor to reward at his residence surrounded by his loving family. 

He leaves to cherish his memory a devoted wife, Evangelist Verta Mae Thompson, of 42 years; loving parents, Pastor Robert Arnell and Lady Ruby Thompson of Early Branch, South Carolina; one daughter, Stephanie (Stacy) Frazier of Early Branch, SC; three sons, Avery Clayton (Elizabeth) Thompson, Jr. of Columbia, South Carolina, Lee Alexander Thompson of Washington, DC and Cedric John Thompson of Chicago, IL; seven grandchildren, Stacia, Cameron, Zier, Layla, Avery, III, Zhamira and Devin; two brothers, Alvin Thompson of Summerville, SC and Pastors Robert Arnell and Danita Thompson, III of Columbus, NJ; one loving sister, Minister Robin (Elder Earnest) Wright of Ridgeland, SC; sisters and brothers-in-law, Loretta (Jimmy) Mixson, Brenda Faye Gordon, Mary (James) Collins of Varnville, SC amd Lola Robinson of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; loving aunts, Thelma Sexton and Virgie Evans of Brooklyn, NY, Juanita (Eddie) Maldon of California and Rose Mae Martinez of Brooklyn, New York; one uncle, Clarence Thompson of Early Branch, SC; and a host of nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.