Allen Rufus Thompson

Memorial services for Allen Rufus Thompson, 89, of Greenville will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 28 at St. James Episcopal Church, Greenville, MS. He died Sunday, October 25 at his home surrounded by his immediate family. 

Rufus was born in Helena, AR on November 4, 1925 to Rebecca Hopkins Thompson and Allen Rufus Thompson. Rufus graduated from Helena High School in 1943, and immediately began a stint in the Army. He attended the University of Arkansas in 1947 and transferred to Mississippi State University where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He graduated with a degree in agriculture in 1950. 

Rufus married Pat Durham in 1951, and soon after began his second tour of service in the Army. After being honorably discharged , Rufus and Pat moved to Greenville. Rufus worked in cotton sales, the insurance business, and ultimately opened his own real estate company. 

Rufus, one of the earliest licensed real estate brokers in the state of Mississippi, held his license for over 50 years and assisted thousands of families in purchasing homes. He was an active member at St. James Episcopal Church and the local board of realtors, where he served in many leadership roles and as president. 

From an early age Rufus was an avid outdoorsman. His love of hunting and fishing was nurtured by his great Aunt Ward and the father of a close friend. Greenville and the Mississippi Delta was a perfect home for Rufus to pursue his love of hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Catfish Point hunting Club and served as its president in the early 1980’s. He was also a member of the Woodstock hunting club. 

He is survived by his wife, Pat Durham Thompson; 2 daughters, Mary Ward Wisnewski (Robert) of Montgomery, AL and Patty Cantrell (Terry) of Marietta, GA; 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. 

The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, Greenville, the American Cancer Society or to Duck’s Unlimited.