MARIANNE THOMPSON NEAL

December 3, 1939 – May 8, 2021

A private family service will be held at St. Andrews Cathedral in Jackson on Friday May 14 ^th at 3:00 p.m.

Marianne Thompson was born to Dr. Wildridge Thompson and Ruth Thompson in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1939. Marianne and her sister Frances, moved with the family to Jackson, Mississippi in 1944, living in Belhaven.  Marianne was a graduate of Central High School in Jackson and Millsaps College, where she majored in French and was a member of Phi Mu.  Marianne loved to travel with her family and developed a love for music at an early age.

After marrying, Marianne lived and worked in Charlottesville, Virginia while her husband attended UVA law school.  Marianne returned to Jackson in 1963 to raise two sons, David McMullan, Jr. and Richard McMullan, during a period of rapid change with desegregation and social evolution. Marianne was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Cathedral, where she lovingly and faithfully served in the choir, under the direction of accomplished organist John Paul, with whom she had a love/hate relationship. Her love for music also included membership in Musica Sacra, collection and appreciation of great choral and classical music.

Marianne always went her own way. While raising two sons divorced and entered the workforce, holding a number of different jobs.   Marianne remarried Randy Neal, a kind, gentle and compassionate man. Marianne and Randy enjoyed a rich, diverse and roller coaster life together, centered by a shared love of music and art.

She is survived by sons David McMullan, Jr. and Richard McMullan, and seven grandchildren, Mark, Trey, Walker, William, Olivia, Tristan and Rivers.

A private family service will be held at St. Andrews Cathedral in Jackson on Friday May 14 ^th at 3:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to Stewpot (Stewpot.org ) would be appreciated.