Fannie Mae Thompson-Wilson

Fannie Mae Ballard Thompson Wilson was born to William Ballard Jr. and Vivian Allgood Ballard on July 12, 1925. She grew up in Houston, in Third Ward on Drew St. She was one of the oldest of 16 children. Fannie married Ervin J Thompson Sr. at an early age and out of that marriage 8 children were born. Ervin Sr, Janie Charles, David, James, Barbara, Beverly and William. Fannie Thompson joined Antioch Missionary Baptist church, now Southeast Community Church, under the leadership of Pastor Sherman West in the 1970's and had been a dedicated member since. She served on the Usher board for many years and helped in the Kitchen. Fannie worked for many years as a housekeeper. She later became a housekeeper at Baylor College of Medicine. While working there she cleaned labs and decided she wanted to work in a lab as a lab assistant. Her boss told her she would never be more than a housekeeper and she could never get a job like that. With nothing more than her determination, she went to the doctor over that lab, expressed her desire to work in the lab and became a lab assistant. She worked at Baylor for many years until she had to retire after injuring her back. She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Many people don't know that she did everything with only an 8th grade education. She had to stop going to school to help take care of her brothers and sisters. She also loved to read anything that she could get her hands on. Even though she had a limited education many of her descendants grew up to obtain college degrees. She was very proud of us all no matter what. Fannie grew up during a time when racism and segregation were alive and well. People of color had to sit at the back of the bus and drink from separate water fountains. The Great Depression and World War II were also going on as she was growing up. She was blessed to see great changes in this nation. Down to seeing our first black president. Fannie loved family and to travel to different states to meet and help family when she was younger such as nephews, cousins, siblings etc. She really believed in family supporting each other. She had many friends that she had been friends with for 50+ years and a few over 60 years. Most of them passed before her, which make it a little lonelier and she depended on family more. She volunteered with many programs that helped the elderly before her health started failing. She was very independent and never wanted to ask for help. But would be the first to let someone come and live with her if they needed a place. And many of us had to take her up on that offer over the years. Both friends and Family. You would never be outside or hungry. That's Family. Many times people say and do things that hurt each other. We all have said things and done things to hurt someone else whether we admit that or not. And we have people to say things to us that we don't like, but sometimes never stop to think about what part you played in making that happen. We may have done something or not done something that causes the situation and we figure if we don't admit or acknowledge it, we didn't do it. Let's try not to knowingly hurt people and if we do, apologize. Admit when you are wrong and try not to make the same mistakes. We smile more at strangers than we do our loved ones. As we can see death can come without warning. No one is perfect. We are family and a large family at that. We should be a stronger force than we are. We no longer have the family dinners for no reason, spend holidays together or have reunions. Yes, we do have our own lives, but it should not be such an effort to set aside a couple of times of year for the whole family or even just part to just get together and have a good time .Let's try to come together and have stronger unit. We never know how long we have and we need to cherish every bit of it. Maya Angelou - "I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad itseems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. I've learned that life sometimes life gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands you need to be able to throw some things back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Ervin Sr preceded her in death and in later years Fannie married Willie Wilson Jr, who also preceded her in death. She leaves to Mourn, her 4 children Barbara Thompson Ford, Charles Thompson, James Thompson, Beverly Edwards, Grand-daughter Tresa Thompson and many, many more grand, great-grand, great-great grand and great, great, great children. Also her 2 surviving brothers Purnell Blackmon and Tobie Lee Blackmon. And a Host of family and friends. Preceded in Death by: Husbands -Ervin Thompson Sr. and Willie Wilson Jr.; Children-Ervin Thompson Jr., Janie Tennison, David Thompson and William Thompson. Siblings-William Ballard, James Ballard, Lillian Ballard, Inez Ballard, Vivian Edwards, Bobby Blackmon, Jessie Blackmon, Michael Blackmon. Grand children Marcus Thompson and Keisha Edwards.