Connie Jean Thompson, age 71 of Spring City, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at her residence after a brief illness. She was born in Rockwood on March 29, 1954, the daughter of the late Charles Gordon Smith and Minnie (Pendergrass) Smith. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Jerry Gill; an infant brother; her brothers, Wayne Smith and Luke Smith; her in-laws, Kermit and Bessie Thompson; and her sister-in-law, Pat Smith.

Connie lived in Spring City most of her life and was retired from La-Z-Boy. She enjoyed crafting, loved to decorate, kept an immaculate home, enjoyed working outside in her yard, but most of all she loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Her children and grandchildren held a special place in her heart, and she was joyfully anticipating her first great-granddaughter in March. Connie was a member of New Hope Independent Baptist Church where her church family was very dear to her heart.

Connie is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Jerry Thompson; her children, Derrick (Lisa) Gill of Lancaster, Ohio, and Belinda (Chris) Hill of Spring City; her grandchildren, Chase Creasman of Spring City, Kaitlyn (Elijah) Waldroup of Decatur, Grant Gill, Eva Gill, and Hallie Gill of Lancaster, Ohio; and Wren Nicole Waldroup, her first great-granddaughter coming in March.

She is also survived by her brothers, Donnie (Cathy) Smith, Larry Smith, and Mike (Cathy) Smith; her sisters Cathy (Joe) Keltch and Teresa (Chuck) Gunther; her sisters-in-law, Nada Smith and Shonnie (Ricky) Jordan, all of Spring City and Ann (Mark) Dvorak of Richland Hills, Texas; several nieces, nephews, and extended family that she loved very much.

Connie will be deeply missed by all who loved her, especially her precious family. Her love and compassion will continue to inspire those left behind.

Funeral services for Connie will be in the funeral home chapel on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. with Pastor Mark Ward and Brother Norman Huskey officiating. She will be laid to rest at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Connie kindly requested that donations be made to the New Hope Independent Baptist Church, 2219 Watts Bar Highway, Spring City, TN 37381.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee, where they will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service.