Sarah Beatrice “Bea” Thompson

August 8, 1944 – January 5, 2016

Services

Friday, January 8, 2016
Public Viewing: 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Nelson & Sons Memorial Chapel
824 Lipscomb St, Shelbyville, TN  37160

Saturday, January 9, 2016
Family Visitation: 12:30 P.M.
Funeral Service: 1:30 P.M.

Scott United Methodist Church
940 Morton Street
Shelbyville, Tennessee

Interment
Willow Mount Cemetery
Shelbyville, Tennessee

Sarah Beatrice “Bea” Thompson was born in Shelbyville, TN, on the 8th day of August, 1944, to her late parents Cecil Douglas and Lula Jane Oates Thompson.  Bea was the 6th of six children born to this union of Cecil and Lula J. Thompson.  Bea was preceded in death by her late siblings: Mattie Lee, Idella Lou, Robert Cecil and Janie Marie.  Bea was educated at the Bedford County Training School in Shelbyville, TN, where she was Valedictorian of her high school class.   After high school she attended Tuskegee University and Governor’s State University obtaining a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Pre K and Elementary Education.  She later completed graduated studies to declare her Masters’ of Arts degree (Cum Laude) in Educational Curriculum & Supervision.   She also completed 15 additional hours to finish her graduate studies of a Master’s degree plus 15 hours.   Bea instructed grades preschool through 5th grade in Shelbyville, TN and Chicago, IL.  Bea retired in 2006 after teaching for 25 years in the Chicago Public Schools. 

Bea started her Christian walk at the Thompson Grove Baptist Church of Shelbyville, TN as a child.  Later she was added to the Martin Temple AME Church in Chicago, IL.  After retirement and returning home she attended the Scott United Methodist Church of Shelbyville, TN.

Bea was a member of the Eastern Stars Ecclestaties Group, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Chicago Teachers Union.

Bea leaves to mourn her immediate family member, daughter, Savadra M. Fields of Memphis, TN; granddaughter, Leeatrice M. Thompson of Shelbyville, TN;  one sister, Ms. Hattie Thompson Johnson of Louisville, KY; Great Aunt and Uncle, Mr. and  Mrs. Samuel Oates; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, relatives and friends.