Ms. Jessica Lynn Thompson, 34, ended her journey on this earth on July 25, 2023.
Born on June 24, 1989 in Rock Hill, SC to Clyde & Michelle Thompson. Jessica has an unforgettable smile and infectious laugh. She could light the darkest of rooms. An angel on earth, not always having the easiest life; Jessica never let anything keep her down for too long. Nicknamed Pocahontas, her effortless beauty shined from within. She was vivacious, loyal, spunky, strong-willed, kind & tenacious, with a loving & gracious spirit. She was stunning, in every form and facet. Jessica left an immeasurable impression on every soul she touched. She was simply happy, genuine, forgiving, full of joy and light. She spread all she had to those around her. Little did any of us know, she didn’t save enough light for herself. No one knew the darkness she faced when alone or the impossible standards a perfectionist sets for oneself.
Jessica didn’t discuss her demons within. We did not hear of or see her insurmountable and all-consuming pain. The death of her mother hurt her in more ways than we knew! She couldn’t handle not having her here anymore. I believe our mother can take care of her better with her, than here with us! This realization that someone could so successfully hide in broad daylight, as a pillar of strength, portray such perfection and project as much joy as Jessica did, have left all who knew & love her shaken to the core.
It is impossible to prepare for the harsh reality of losing a loved one, especially a parent or sister at far too young of an age. It has left behind a desperate longing to understand the rationale & insanity behind mental illness no one knew to be present. To realize the devastating effects of perfectionism, which is not about high standards– it’s about unrealistic ones. Suicide is a complicated end & compounds with an array of feelings & stigma. One person taking their own life every 40 seconds is an epidemic of massive proportion, leaving no family untouched.
The desperation, pain & despair Jessica must have endured, to feel it best to leave her most beloved children & her family is unimaginable. Somehow, Jessica believed we could live without her. As much as that confidence is resented, we will draw strength from her faith in us to carry on. We will carry Jessica’s legacy with us – her determination, intelligence, strength & warmth, as well as her fears, her flaws, her untimely death. We will see her in the faces & mannerisms of her beautiful children as they grow. We will heal, we will persevere, we will laugh, we will cry, we will thrive, but life will never be the same without our precious Jessica. We are a family who lives with joy & disappointment, sadness & love, laughter & tears; we remember, we tell stories, we pray, we hope & most of all…we love.
This silent epidemic is catastrophic. If talking about it, exposing it, shouting it from the rooftops, will help even one person find a way to talk about their pain, a difference can & must be made. To help others understand, we must reach out to family members, friends & strangers. Show kindness, an openness to talk & more importantly, to listen, to see, to hear without judgement. If only to save one family from the pain & anguish of losing a loved one through bringing awareness to this tragic & senseless loss of life, then our beloved Jessica’s untimely death will not be in vain. See the signs, save a life, we cannot afford to lose another light.
She is survived by her father, Clyde Thompson, her two wonderful, beautiful sons, Jordan & Mason Morris, her loving sister, Stephanie Thompson, her beautiful nieces, Mila & Remi-Lynn Vuncannon, and her handsome nephew, Brayden Rodgers. She is preceded in death by her mother, Michelle Thompson and her son, Jaden Thrower. We take comfort in knowing we will be together again one day.
We invite those who knew and loved her to celebrate her life & share memories on August 19, 2023 at 2:30PM at Catawba Indian Nation Longhouse, 996 Avenue of the Nations, Rock Hill, SC 29730.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.