Donna Thomson

Donna Peterson Thomson, 64, of Acworth passed away Saturday, March 5, 2016. She was the beloved wife of Don Thomson, mother of three boys, sister, aunt and friend. Born February 16, 1952, in Arapahoe, NC, to James and Julia Ward Peterson, Donna was raised with her two loving sisters among the verdant tobacco fields and wide, sandy beaches of eastern North Carolina. After graduating from East Carolina University, she moved to Greenville, SC, where she earned her Masters from Furman University and began her teaching career. It was there she met Don at the pool of their apartment complex, where they both moved in hopes of finding “the one”. It worked. Don and Donna were married in Arapahoe in November 1979. Donna was always on the road, splitting her time between Acworth, Snowbird in Robbinsville, NC, the Cowpasture River, Hilton Head and anywhere she could road-trip with her sisters or visit her boys, up and down the east coast and across the globe. Donna lived her life for the benefit of others, especially her sons. She was a lifelong educator and a professional “team mom” - a fixture in the stands at baseball and basketball games, tennis matches, swim meets and PTA meetings. Donna loved nothing more than to spend time around a table completing puzzles or playing games with her family. In her retirement, you could find Donna tending to the riverside landscaping at Snowbird, feeding the hummingbirds, guiding tours at the historic Root House or leading the “Adventure Club.” Donna’s unshakable optimism, relentless positivity, selflessness, and sweet nature will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Don Thomson; her three sons, Jim Thomson and wife, Dawn Miller, of Brooklyn, NY, Bruce Thomson of Washington, DC, and Rob Thomson of Nashville, TN; her mother, Julia Peterson of Arapahoe, NC; two sisters, Cynthia Sprinkle of Stanardsville, VA, and Vanessa King of Wilmington, NC; her sister-in law Persis Tinsley and brother-in law Tom Thomson; and many loving nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, with Rev. Dr. Joan Gray officiating. A reception will follow at the church. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday at their residence. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bethany Christian Church, 8126 NC Highway 306 South, Arapahoe, NC 28510; Root House, ℅ Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society at cobblandmarks.com/memorial; or the Cowpasture River Preservation Association at www.cowpastureriver.org/donate. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta is in charge of the arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-428-1511

Donna Thomson

February 16, 1952 - March 5, 2016