Reverend Ephraim Henry Thompson, born in 1937 to Esther Washington in Charles City, Virginia, entered eternal rest on July 9, 2026.

Reverend Thompson was married to Willie Ruth Brown for seventeen years, with whom he had four children: Raimonda Thompson, (Yvonne Thompson), Sara Goddard (Johnny Goddard), Felicia Thompson, and the late Steven Thompson.

Reverend Thompson later married Jacqueline Baker in 1984 and remained devoted to her until her passing in 2020. Together they shared a daughter, Erica Thompson, two step children, and a loving extended family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and siblings.

A dedicated entrepreneur, mentor, coach, minister, mechanic, gospel singer, and community leader, Reverend Thompson coached the Armstrong Vikings to three championships with an outstanding 29–1 record. He owned several local businesses, served as head mechanic at Casey Volkswagen, sang lead for The Mighty Sons of Joy, ministered at First Baptist Church Denbigh and many other churches, retired after 35 years at Newport News Shipbuilding, and later drove school buses for Newport News City Schools.

He will be remembered for his faith, service, generosity, and unwavering love for his family and community.

Viewing will be held 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2026 at the chapel. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.