Brenda Diane Thompson, of Bland, VA, formerly of Dover, DE, passed away on Thursday July 16, 2026 at her son’s home in Clayton, DE. She was 71.

She was born January 1, 1955 in Waynesboro, Virginia, the daughter of the late Carl and Marietta Rankin.

Brenda grew up in the Washington DC, Falls Church, Arlington, Virginia area with her parents and 5 siblings. She attended and graduated from school at Washington-Lee High School (now known as Washington Liberty High School) in Arlington Virginia.

She spent most of her employment years working as an overnight switchboard operator at Kent General Hospital and as a secretary for Bob Moore Realty in Dover, DE.

Brenda enjoyed shopping, dining out, spending time talking and visiting with friends and family.

She was a Jehovah’s Witness and attended the Kingdom Hall in Dover DE early on and the last 20 years she attended the Wytheville Virginia Kingdom Hall. Brenda enjoyed attending bible meetings with the Wytheville Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and sharing her faith with others.

She is survived by her husband, James Thompson, Sr., of Bland, Virginia; her children, James Thompson Jr. (Kareylenn), Cadria Furstnau (Cody), and Justin Thompson (Keela); her grandchildren, Mariah Furstnau, Lexi Southern, Madison Thompson, Caitlynn Thompson, Charlie Keen and James Thompson, III; her siblings, Carl Rankin, Jr (Naomi), Anita Pauley (Joey), and Wallace “Pete” Rankin (Sheila); and her great aunt, Barbara Gillis.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Dennis Rankin and Rick Rankin.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Wythe and Delaware Hospices who provided excellent care to Brenda and support of the family.

Services will be privately held.

To leave a condolence, please see the section below to leave a guestbook entry. 

Arrangements are by Matthews Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna, DE.