Mary Helen Thompson , 86, died Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Rosewood Nursing Home in Lake Charles, LA. She was born on June 13, 1931, to Walter and Beulah Pickney in Port Barre, LA. She was the second oldest of four children when her family moved to Lake Charles, LA, in the 1950's. She attended Port Barre High School and later married the love of her life, Joseph Thompson. She remained a devoted housewife until his passing in November, 1992.

Although she never had any children of her own, she served as a surrogate mother to her niece, Hazel O'Brien, her late nephew, Joseph Tyler, Jr., and a loving aunt to their children. In her younger days, she enjoyed bingo, socializing and attending Mardi Gras balls at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she was a parishioner.

She is survived by her sister, Ella Mae Zerangue of Houston, TX; her brother, Walter Pickney of St. Martinville, LA; three nieces, Hazel Tyler O'Brien of Lake Charles, LA, Ericka B. Bigelow of Lake Charles, LA, and Emeri B. Montgomery of Kent, WA; one nephew, Eric O'Brien of Lake Charles, LA and a host of extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 46 years, Joseph Thompson; her sister, Beatrice Tyler; brothers-in-law, Joseph Tyler, Sr., and Chester Zerangue; and her nephew, Joseph Tyler, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at 9:00 a.m., and funeral service at 10:00 a.m., at King's Funeral Home, Deacon Erroll DeVille, officiating.