Mary Glenn Clark Thompson, age 102, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Shreveport.
Mrs. Thompson was born Aug. 29, 1914, in Minden, to June Clark and Cora Morris Clark. Cora died when Mrs. Thompson was 6 years old, after which she was raised as the daughter of her uncle and aunt, Claiborne and Lizzie Anderson.
Mrs. Thompson graduated Webster Parish Training School (later Webster High) in 1933. She then completed a teacher-training course and began teaching primary grades in Webster Parish schools, traveling to small communities such as Shongaloo and teaching in one and two-room school buildings. In August 1948, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Grambling College, and in subsequent years, obtained graduate hours in education from several universities including the University of Colorado Boulder. Most of her teaching years was spent at two schools: a two-classroom building in the Long Spring and Martin Community, and the Jerry A. Moore School in Minden. After retiring from the public school system, Mrs. Thompson became the director of the Webster Parish Head Start Program.
Mrs. Thompson was married to Theo Thompson from June 18, 1936, to Oct. 3, 1983, the date of his death; and to that union two children were born: Arthur and Luther.
Mrs. Thompson was also preceded in death by her biological and adoptive parents, her biological brother J. C. Clark, the sons of her adoptive parents, Luther and M. C. Anderson, and her great nephew Michael C. Stone.
She is survived by her sons Arthur G. Thompson and his wife Margaret Marks Thompson of Shreveport, and Luther Thompson and his wife Barbara Wilson Thompson of Minden, Bossier City, and San Francisco, California; her granddaughters Dionne Elizabeth Thompson and partner H. Jeffrey Tabb of Silver Spring, Maryland; Melanie Thompson Ray and her husband Charles of New York; and Deborah Ferruolo and spouse Robert of northern California; her grandsons Bryan Michael Thompson and his wife Katharina and their son (her great-grandson) Phineas (Finn) Carter Thompson of Los Angeles; and David Wilson, of Sacramento, California; and great-grandchildren Cameron Ferruolo, twins David Jr. and Jaeda Marie, and Ciera Wilson, all of northern California.
In addition, she is survived by niece Willia Dean Stone and daughter Judge Shonda Stone of Shreveport; a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives including cousins Ambros Brodus and wife Lois of San Diego, California; Tommie Sean Lee and Mary Lynn Moore of Minden; Dr. James Moore of Chicago; and many, many friends including Betty Holiday and Beatrice Williams who remained in daily contact with her over the years.
Mrs. Thompson joined the St. Rest Baptist Church family July 9, 1945. She was a devoted member and active participant in the affairs and many ministries of the church for more than 70 years. She was deeply loved and will be missed by her family, members of the church, and her friends.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at St. Rest Baptist Church, 611 E. Union St., Minden, Louisiana with the Rev. Benjamin Joseph Martin, Ph.D. officiating. Viewing and visitation will be held Thursday Feb. 23, 2017, from noon until 7 p.m. at Kennon’s Mortuary, 417 Martin Luther King Drive, Minden, Louisiana.