Julia Beatrice Fitzgerald Thompson maintained a deep inner strength and quiet confidence.

She was a bulwark in her family, church and the community.

“She loved to stay busy helping others and she still took care of home,” her daughter, Juana Ellease Thompson, said.

Mrs. Thompson previously was the first lady at St. Peter Baptist Church in Glen Allen for 20 years, where her husband, the late Rev. Samuel H. Thompson, was called to pastor in 1958.

She also was a pianist and church school teacher at St. Peter for 42 years and organizer and director of the Sunbeam and Junior choirs for 32 years.

The former first lady also was involved in more than a dozen other church committees and ministry groups.

“She loved children and worked to make sure the next generation could continue to strive and make a positive difference in the world,” her daughter said.

Mrs. Thompson also loved to volunteer in the community through organizations such as the March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, the Girl Scouts of America and the American Lung Association.

She also was involved in numerous other associations, including the NAACP and the Ministers’ Wives of Richmond and Vicinity. She was the past matron of the Nannie Jones Perkins Chapter #161 of the Order of the Eastern Star.

The community is remembering Mrs. Thompson after her death Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, in Richmond. She was 95.

Her homegoing service was Saturday, Nov. 1, at St. Peter Baptist Church.

Mrs. Thompson was born Oct. 2, 1919, in Richmond, one of seven children.

She graduated from Armstrong High School in 1936 and completed her undergraduate studies at Virginia State College (now University).

She married Rev. Thompson in June 1955. He died 23 years later.

Mrs. Thompson joined First African Baptist Church at an early age and remained a member for 52 years. She served in various capacities there, including church school teacher, pianist and superintendent.

She also held musical posts at other area churches.

She began her professional life working for the Southern Aid Life Insurance Co. Later, she worked 25 years for the Internal Revenue Service before retiring.

She enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends. She also loved dining at some of her favorite restaurants and watching television shows “Jeopardy,” “The Price is Right” and “Wheel of Fortune.”

She also loved to attend classical, sacred and American classics concerts.

Mrs. Thompson is survived by her daughter; her brother, David J. Fitzgerald; her sister, Margaret F. Coleman; two sisters-in-law; a goddaughter and a host of other family and friends.