Frances Lenora Thompson

Frances Lenora Thompson, 76, transitioned from Earth to Eternity on Monday, May 16, 2022, at her residence. She was born to the late James D. Thompson and Ruth Parshay Thompson in Detroit, Michigan on March 9, 1946. After she and her brother James spent the summer in Madisonville, KY, Frances enjoyed her time there so much that her parents let her stay with her paternal aunt, Lena Mansfield, who lovingly raised her to be the woman she became. Aunt Lena was a laundress and taught Frances how to iron like a professional; a skill she maintained religiously until her passing. Those close to her knew not to make plans for Frances on Saturday as that was her day to iron everything including sheets and towels. Frances was educated in the Madisonville School System and after graduating from Rosenwald High School in 1964, she matriculated at Kentucky State University from which she attained a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She later attended Murray State University and received her master’s degree in Education.
Frances was an educator for 41 years. Her first employment as a teacher was in Nortonville, KY.
She decided to move to Evansville, IN after several years of teaching in Kentucky for better pay and benefits. As a teacher in the Evansville Vanderburgh Co. School System, Frances taught at Highland Elementary School for many years and transferred to Hebron Elementary for the last years of her teaching career. She continued to substitute at Hebron for several years after her retirement. Frances was an advocate for education and encouraged young people of all ages to stay in school and pursue a degree or certification to advance their careers. In an effort to influence the children of the church to keep studying during the Summer, Frances brought them snacks, along with math and spelling worksheets.

Frances was a woman who loved the Lord. She began each day with meditation during which she read the scripture and prayed while observing the flowers and birds through her sunroom window. She often remarked that their beauty was evidence of God’s miraculous creation. Frances was a prayer warrior for her friends and fellow teachers who loved her like a sister. As a child in Madisonville, her Aunt Lena taught her to follow Jesus and she became a member of Wesley Chapel CME Church where she began her love for Sunday School, participated in Youth & Young Adult activities, and attended many church conferences. Upon moving to Evansville, Frances joined Cleaves Memorial CME Church where she became a faithful and active member and continued her devotion to Sunday School, teaching the Adult Class until her death. She practiced playing her piano so she would be prepared to play for Sunday School. Reluctantly drafted into the Cleaves Chorus by the choir director, she quickly became a willing participant because she loved to sing Gospel and would always ask “Now, what key is that?”. She was a long-time member of the Joy Club, a teacher in Vacation Bible School, worked with the children and youth on speeches for Easter, and directed them in plays. She was the treasurer of the Cleaves Missionary Society and was instrumental in implementing many of their activities for those in need. Frances was dedicated to studying the Word which was demonstrated in her attendance at Precept Classes at Nazarene and Bible Study at Cleaves. She always said she was blessed and so thankful to the Lord for all he did for her.
Frances was a concerned member of her community. As a participant in Cleaves’ CAJE ministry, she attended the Action and the Rally each year always encouraging her friends to join the network. She was a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. holding the office of Financial Secretary in the local chapter. True to her love for education, Frances, worked on countless sorority fundraisers to raise money for scholarships and she mentored the youth in Xinos.
Frances was a funny lady. She could tell a story about something that happened to her that would cause everyone to laugh so hard they would be in tears. Frances could have been a stand-up comedian with the way she entertained her friends and co-workers by doing imitations and sharing classroom incidents about her students. Her fun-loving and outgoing personality will be missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by a brother: James D. Thompson; a sister: Grace Ann Thompson; aunt: Lena Mansfield; cousin: Thelma White.
Frances leaves to cherish her memory, cousins: Barbara Brown, Jannett Williamson, Sherrill Jackson, Carlos Jackson, Christy Friday, Glenn Friday (Tami), Leonard Friday, Clayton Parshay, Marilyn Leavell, Gwendolyn Mitchell, Preston Harris (Connie), Barbara Harris; and a host of other cousins, church family, and friends.