By Staff
Mrs. Sylvia Shaw Thompson went home to the Kingdom of God on Feb. 9, 2011. She was born in Dunn, the last of eight children to Charles and Lula Mae Joyner Shaw. Upon the death of her mother, Sylvia and her sister Gloria were sent away as little girls to be raised by their aunt Eugenia Mitchell. Together they grew up in the town of Washington.
Sylvia met and married the love of her life, Edward L. Thompson in 1948. Through sacrifice and hard work they partnered a number of businesses along Atlantic Avenue at the oceanfront Town of Virginia Beach including the Atlantic Grill, Thompson’s Soda Shop, 27th Street Dairy Queen, the south end Shake‘n Burger, and the 22nd St. Tastee Freeze. Sylvia and Ed’s dreams were realized when they opened the Islander Motel in Nags Head, in 1973. They ran it continuously through the season of 2006.
Sylvia was a devoted Christian. She loved God and was active in her church. She loved her family and friends and was a very giving person. Sylvia adored playing bridge with friends. She enjoyed gardening and growing roses. She loved music. She was a fantastic southern cook and countless happy family memories were created at her kitchen table. She taught her son many valuable life lessons and pushed him to be better than he was.
Sylvia leaves behind a daughter, Elizabeth Seawell and granddaughters, Elise and Dorian of Nags Head; son, Doug Thompson (wife Barbara) of Virginia Beach, Va., and grandson Sean. A loving sister, Gloria Blades of Bothell, Wash., and loving attentive nieces Sylvia, Nora, Diane, Susan, Cathy, and Jamie. Sylvia has many other family members around the country.
Thank you to BJ, Gwen, Vera, Nakeisa and Paula for the love and very special care. Thank you to the dedicated Islander Motel staff for many years of loyalty, devotion and caring love.
Memorial donations may be made to Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, 212 19th Street, Virginia Beach, Va. 23451.
A church service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church. The burial will follow at Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Laskin Road Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com.
Paid Obituary