Tributes

It was on January 9, 1949 in College Station, a city situated in the heart of the Brazos Valley, that I, Delois Jewel Thompson, the third child to Berto Rudolph and Abbie Marie Wilborn was born. Psalm 127: 3, 5 says Children are a heritage from the LORD, Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. The Wilborn quiver was filled with Woodrow, Grace, Helen, Francis, William, and Audrey along with me. My life at 1221 Phoenix Street was wonderful. I did not live in a large house, but it was filled with love, laughter, tears and memories. I recalled with fondness the days in my quaint little town where we lived off the land, planting crops, raising hogs and chickens, fishing in nearby tanks, and enjoying the fields of wildflowers. Going to St. Matthews Baptist Church was the thing to do and my mother took us every Sunday. She made sure we were involved in Sunday School, Starlight Band, singing in the choir, and all of the Easter and Christmas programs. I learned all the books of the Bible and to recite scripture, but it wasn’t until I became an adult that I became fully knowledgeable of Jesus Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. I was blessed to have parents who invested quality time in their family, who taught my siblings and me how to treat other people by their example and in their serious role as guardians, the parent-child relationship was always respected. Education was important in our household and I was supported in my studies and involvement in school activities. I attended Lincoln High School, an all Black school during the era of segregation. However, in 1965, my father, Berto, received and read a letter to us as we sat and listened. We were offered a choice to continue going to Lincoln or attend A&M Consolidated, an all white high school. In making a decision he offered one rule-we all had to attend the same school. The decision was easy. We chose to attend A&M Consolidated. There were tensions, but nothing serious. My determination was to get the best education possible and I graduated from there in 1967. I left College Station in 1969 with Frank James Thompson, my husband, and my two year son, Vincent. We moved to San Marcos and it became my proving ground. In experiencing life, I learned to stretch out on God’s Word. I was always comforted by His voice of assurance that-I am with you now and always. I began seeking a church home and united with First Baptist Church under the direction of Rev. Mack Robinson. I became actively involved in many church activities, especially with the Youth and Young People. I loved singing old hymns and listening to the preacher tell me about what I needed to do to make Heaven my home. In addition to my church activities, I also became involved in various cultural and civic activities and organizations. Although I did not complete college, nor fulfill my desire to become a teacher, I became a licensed child care administrator at the Brown’s School in San Marcos. God blessed me for over 40 years to work and train individuals with special needs. I devoted my entire career to touching their lives and making them feel just that “special”. It did not matter to me how different or challenging they were. I moved to San Antonio in 1980 and for several years worked as a Court Appointed Guardian for seven Senior citizens. They were like family to me. I was honored by Guardianship Services for my efforts to terminate and prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly. While residing in San Antonio, I was a member of Second Baptist Church. In 1997, I moved to Austin and joined Olivet Baptist Church under Kennedy Young where I served on the Hospitality Ministry. Then in 2007, I joined Sweet Home Baptist Church under the Leadership of Pastor, Dr. Dante D. Wright, I. I worked with the Historical and Archives Ministry, briefly with the Culinary Ministry and in the church’s Rivers of Living Water Bookstore. Instilled with the work ethic exemplified by my parents, I continued to work with ResCare, which supports healthcare for seniors and residential services and in my family’s vineyard to ensure that my children and grandchildren follow a legacy of loving life and people, and sharing their time, treasures, and talents with others. Now, I have joined my parents and my brother Woodrow in eternal rest, yet I leave an abundance of memories, advice, thoughts, and beliefs for my two children, Vincent Thompson (Minerva) and Zera Thompson. I want my four granddaughters, Tyanna, Kailani, Kamil, and Kalea Thompson to “live and enjoy life to the fullest. It is so precious.” To Grace Hall (Thomas) Calvert, TX; Helen Shelly (Jeff) Dallas, TX; Frances Johnson, (St. Louis, Missouri); William Wilborn (Avis) College Station; and Audrey Wilborn (Nadine) Dallas, TX remember always the loving parents we were blessed with and the lasting virtues of God’s love. To Uncle Jessie Johnson, sister-in-law, Doris Wilborn (Woodrow), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, I’m not saying goodbye, but I’ll see you later and to all others who have hope in Christ’s appearing.

Tributes

Delois Thompson

January 9, 1949 - October 26, 2015