Cordelia Wills Gant Thompson

January 31, 2025
CHARLOTTE – Cordelia Wills Gant Thompson joined her heavenly Father on Friday, January 31, at the age of 98. She was born in Danville, VA to Allen Erwin Gant, Sr. and Mayzie-Wills Penn Gant. Cordelia “Dede” grew up in Burlington NC, attended St. Mary’s School in Raleigh, NC, Finch College in New York, NY and graduated from the University of North Carolina with a BA degree.
Dede had a great sense of humor and was a force in all areas of her life. She was the epitome of grace and grit. She poured her energies into gardening and landscaping, spent summers enjoying her many friends in Blowing Rock, NC and other activities including hiking and golf. She was adventuresome and the consummate world traveler. There were few places she had not visited. Dede poured her considerable talents and energy into her community in many ways. She was active at Christ Episcopal Church and the Charlotte Junior League where she applied her landscaping talent. She could also be found helping friends with their landscaping. She volunteered for many years at Wing Haven and opened their first plant shop. She was involved in the early years of the Children’s Theatre. Dede was a founding member of the Charlotte Assembly and their second president. She was president of the German Club and member of the Charlotte Country Club and the Blowing Rock Country Club.
Of all the facets of her life, Dede said, “The most meaningful thing in my life was my family.” She married her college sweetheart James Simpson Wilcox, Jr. on June 25, 1949, and raised four children: James S. Wilcox, lll (Jezznette), Cordelia Penn Wilcox Branin (Francis S. Branin, Jr.), Louisa (Liza) Reid Wilcox, and Allen Erwin Wilcox Morrison (Howell). She married her second husband, Willard Chandler Thompson on August 3, 1985, which brought her six new children whom she thought of as her own: Bill Thompson (Laura), Elizabeth Thompson (Sam DeVries), Robert Thompson (Tricia), Ann Turlington (Les), Jimmy Thompson (Anne), and Christopher Thompson. Dede had fourteen grandchildren: Francis Branin III, (Lindsay), Hallee Branin Dangler (Devin), Lilly Morrison, Emily Morrison Wood (Jenner), Felicia Morrison Lindsey (Ben), Conway Rankin (Parker), Claire Wilcox, James Wilcox, IV , Hannah Thompson (Hiro Taylor), Ann Claire Hauser (Jordon), Chandler Turlington, Louise Turlington, Maryanne Clive (Sam) and Robert Thompson. She also had ten great-grandchildren: Francis Branin IV, Reilly, Aidan and Fionna Dangler, Howell and John Wood, Lydia Lindsey, Thompson Hauser, Georgia and Rhett Clive.
Dede is also survived by her brother, Allen Erwin Gant, Jr. (Denise) of Burlington and a sister, Margaret Elizabeth Gant of Raleigh. She was predeceased by both of her husbands; her sister, Jessemine Gant Taylor; her stepmother, Ethel Boone Gant and a great grandson, Jenner Wood, V. She enjoyed her nieces and nephews, Bill Taylor (Marsha), Kate Rucker Penn Taylor, Grayson Hampson (Nathan), Allen E. Gant, III, Adelaide Wilcox, Sandra Conway (Peter), Melissa Bond (Brett), Reid Wilcox (Suzanne) and Lou Wilcox.
Dede’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Home Care group at The Cypress who helped make her life more pleasant and comfortable. They would also like to thank Via Health Partners (formerly Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region) staff, particularly Nanette Norman, her nurse who became a special friend.
Services will be private.
Memorials may be made to The Allen E. Gant, Sr. Scholarship at Elon University, Campus Box 2600, Elon, NC 27244; Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207, The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, P.O. Box 828, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
Comments
- No comments found
Share your memories & condolences