Knoxville

Mrs. Doris Lee Thompson, 86, of Knoxville died at 3:25 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at Heartland Health Care Center in Galesburg, Ill.

She was born April 2, 1926, in Decatur, Ill., the daughter of Roy and Nell Bridwell Ellison. She married Gordon E. Thompson on July 9, 1950, in Decatur, Ill., and he survives in Galesburg.

She also is survived by three sons, David B. (Kyle) Thompson of Greensburg, Ind., Dana E. (Carol) Thompson of Elgin, Ill., and Donald P. (Marcia) Thompson of South Elgin, Ill.; three daughters, Diane R. Shea of Sullivan, Ill., Donna M. (Greg) Mathews of Galesburg, Ill., and Denise A. (Trace) Tucker of Versailles, Ind.; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Tanner Lee Tucker.

She was an elementary teacher for 25 years, retiring in 1989. She had earned her master's degree from Western Illinois University as a reading specialist, and continued to substitute teach for five years after retirement. She graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1944 and Millikin University in 1948.

Doris Lee enjoyed collecting antique buttons, hat pins, as well as rubber stamps.

She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Galesburg, Ill. She held several positions within the church: Christian Education Board member, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School director and Faith at Work participant. She also spearheaded the creation of the First Baptist Church Learning Center. From 1989 to 2004, she volunteered at the Galesburg Rescue Mission on a regular basis.