Mary Louise Thompson

Mary Louise Daniels Thompson was born to Mary Eliza Pride and Edgar Louis Daniels on November 7, 1931 in Birmingham, Alabama. She accepted Christ at an early age and for many years was a member of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Her formative years were spent in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated at 16 years of age from Parker High School, Birmingham, Alabama. Due to her youth, her mother, Mary Eliza, informed her that she had to get a job or go to school. She opted for school. She applied and was accepted to Miles College. Miles College was founded in 1898, is a private Historically Black College and University in Fairfield, Alabama. Miles College is associated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and a member of the United Negro College Fund. Upon graduation, she attended Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama where she received a Registered Nursing Degree. She received her training and worked at Holy Family Community Hospital. Holy Family Hospital was the first hospital in Birmingham, Alabama created specifically for the care of African-Americans. Due to Jim Crow laws, black people were unable to receive equal treatment in the medical community. Holy Family was the first hospital in Birmingham created for the training of African American nurses and doctors for the care of patients in a safe sterile environment. As a nurse, her expertise was in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. On August 15, 1956, she married her childhood friend Elton Thompson, their marriage lasted 46 years. To this union, in 1958, one child, Cheryl Lynne Thompson Dozier was born. A Sgt. in the United States Army, she accompanied her husband across the United States and abroad. Tours of duty included Fort Knox, Kentucky, Fort Ord, California, Bad Kissigen, Germany and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. 1n 1975, as entrepreneurs, Elton and Mary Louise established Hillcrest Carry-Out in St. Robert, MO specializing in Chicken and Seafood. The restaurant was operational for several years until their retirement. Her expressions of love and gratitude manifested through knitting and cooking. Many in the community were the recipients of hand knitted afghans. These specialized works of art were given to those whom she held dear and gifted especially for the birth of a child. Known statewide and across the United States, she was heralded for her culinary talents. The lines were long for her sweet potato pies, chocolate cake and chicken salad. To this day, the long sought after recipe is only held by Demaris Young. She knew Cheryl Lynne would not use it. She was loved by many. Mary Louise Thompson leaves to mourn, one daughter, Cheryl Lynne Thompson Dozier. Two grandchildren: Demaris Young (Micheal) (Saint Louis, MO) Daris Lee Jr. (Mercedes) (Jefferson City); 5 great grandchildren: Jakyla Powell (Saint Louis), Mya Grace Keel Lee, (Jefferson City, MO); Marreck and Daylon Young (Saint Louis); and Daris Lee III (Jefferson City); Additional family members include the Pride and Marshall Family. We are grateful for the support of Gwen Maridada (Detroit, MI) Dr. Thomas Maridada (Atlanta, GA); Maria Montez Johnson (Detroit, MI); Ruben Fowlkes Sr. (Detroit, MI) Ruben Fowlkes, Jr. (Effat Id-Deen) (Detroit, MI) Verna “Doll” Davis (Birmingham, AL); Derek Johnson(Paytra) (Detroit, MI); Sheila Johnson (Detroit, MI) Darlene Johnson (Detroit, MI) (Deceased) Darnell Marshall (Kwanna) (Detroit, MI); and her sister in love, Zandra Rucker (Miami, FL). Her husband, Elton Thompson and mother, Mary Eliza Pride preceded her in death. Mary Louise went home to be with her Lord Wednesday, November 16, 2022 in her home having attained the age of 91 years. Visitation will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 28, 2022 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 4:00 p.m. Inurnment will be held in the Springfield National Cemetery of Springfield, MO.

Mary Louise Thompson

November 7, 1931 - November 16, 2022