Sallie Florence Mauldin Thompson passed away April 22, 2022 following an extended illness. She was born in Anderson, South Carolina in 1934 to the late Albert Stilwell Mauldin and Daisy Todd Mauldin. She was a graduate of Anderson Girls High School, now known as TL Hanna High School, and Anderson College. In 1950, she married Harry Zebulon Thompson and moved to his hometown of Hendersonville.
Sallie, or Piggie as she was affectionately known throughout the community, was the consummate wife and mother to her three boys. Her cooking was legendary and most meals included more people than just her family. Many of her sons’ friends remember stopping at the Thompson house around mealtime and being welcomed by her gracious hospitality. In addition to her role of wife and mother, she was an accomplished artist. She worked in many mediums from oil paint to woodworking. Sallie’s love of gardening was evidenced by her beautiful yard over the years. She was also an animal lover and always had a cat or dog as a pet and companion.
A beautiful and vibrant woman, people constantly remarked that Sallie looked 20 years younger than she was. Her smile and positive outlook were infectious. Sallie remained active up until the time of her last illness. On summer days, she could be seen mowing the acreage around her house on her tractor or driving her truck with her fur baby, Daisy the Pitbull, leaning out the window.
In 1979, she and Harry started Piggy’s Ice Cream Parlor. The business expanded in 1993 to include Harry’s Grill. Sallie employed hundreds of Henderson County teens over the years. For most, she was their first employer and they fondly remember “Miss Piggie” as a true southern lady who cared about them even after they had grown up and started their careers. In 2019, Sallie was received the Clifton J. Shipman Award naming her the Business Person of the Year by the Hendersonville Merchants’ Association. Up until her illness, she went to work every day and considered the business one of her greatest achievements. Sallie was a faithful Christian and a member of First United Methodist Church. She was an incredible mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend.
In addition to her parents, Sallie was preceded in death by her brothers, William A. and James E. Mauldin, sister Laura Louise Mauldin Herron, niece Sally Mauldin Schott, husband Harry Z. Thompson and son Stephen Todd Thompson. She is survived by her sons Michael (Elaine) and Jeff (Tamra), grandchildren Hunter, Sallie Kate, Suzanne, Caleigh, Dalton and Holden all of Hendersonville. She is also survived by nieces Renee Benson of Eagle, Idaho, Annie Barlow of Lewes, Delaware and nephews Fred Herron of Earleville, Maryland, Will Mauldin of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Eric Goodman of Hendersonville, Craig Goodman of Flat Rock and their families. Sallie leaves behind many dear friends and happy acquaintances. She will be forever loved and missed by all.
A funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Monday, May 2, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may made to the Todd Thompson Memorial Scholarship, Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, 180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731.