Mable Thompkins

Mother Mable was born on February 17, 1928, in Stuttgart, Arkansas, to Gertrude Sims and Bo Morgan. As a young girl, Mom was determined not to pick cotton, so she went to work at City Café instead. Her strong work ethic carried her through the years — she later joined Riceland Foods, where she built a long and dedicated career before retiring at the age of 63. Even after retirement, she continued caring for others through private sitting and later worked with NCBA until the remarkable age of 80.

Mother Thompkins was a Holman Alumni, a member of the Class of 1946, and was proud to be called a Yellow Jacket. She attributed being reared in the African American Community, church, and school system to giving her a wonderful, sound, and honest work ethic.

Mom was united in holy matrimony to Frank (Heman) Thompkins, and together they were blessed with thirteen children. A natural caretaker, she was always the first to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She cared deeply for her family and her community, always finding ways to help however she could. Mom lovingly cared for Grandpa Claude, Dad, Grandma Gert — and even her own adult children when they were sick — showing her endless compassion and selflessness every step of the way.

She gave her life to Christ at an early age and remained a devoted servant throughout her life. She was an active member of New Bethel A.M.E Church, faithfully serving in many capacities including the Bethel Beacons, Women’s Missionary Society, Stewardess Board, and Trustee Board. Her faith was an essential part of who she was. Mom was actively involved in the prayer ministry, faithfully visited the sick and shut-in twice a week, and served on the church prayer line.

Mom also loved shopping, eating out, playing solitaire, doing word searches, and scrolling through Facebook. After God, her greatest priority was her family, and her greatest joy was being surrounded by the people she loved most.

She was preceded in death by her parents Bo Morgan and Gertrude Sims; husband Frank Thompkins; sons Howard Thompkins and Wayne Thompkins; grandchildren Cason Herring, Felicia Thompkins, and James Thompkins; brothers Timothy Sims and JC Copprel; and sisters Margaret Henderson and Juanita Carroll.

Mother Mable leaves to cherish her memories her sons Paul (Michelle) Thompkins of Southaven, MS, Glenn (Janice) Henderson of Plano, TX, Raymond (Felicia) Thompkins of Whites Creek, TN, Roy Chester (Carrie) Redmon of Memphis, TN, and Carl Thompkins of Tulsa, OK; daughters Claudette (Darnail) Walker of Olive Branch, MS, Elaine (Bernard) Halton of Stuttgart, AR, Terrell Thompkins of Little Rock, AR, Tameko (Willie) Holt of Stuttgart, AR, Anise Thompkins Mastin of Atlanta, GA, and Frankie Keaton of Puyallup, WA; siblings Clark Sims of Stuttgart, AR, and Anna Sims of Kankakee, IL; best friend and like a sister Clara Mae Cross of Stuttgart, AR. Mom was also blessed with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, along with a host of nieces and nephews — all of whom will forever cherish the precious memories and special moments they shared with her.

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