Ms. Catherine H. Thompson

Catherine H. Thompson was born July 9, 1924, to the union of Willie Hayes and Edna Leights in Morganza, Louisiana. Early in her childhood, Catherine made her parents so proud while attending McDonough 37 School. In the third grade Catherine won the state of Louisiana Spelling Test, by correctly spelling all the words on the test. The date of this fabulous feat was April 16, 1933. Catherine continued her formal education at McKinley High School, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a graduate of 1942. Additionally, coursework was completed at the University of Louisiana Baton Rouge where she studied Accounting and Childhood Education. catherine accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and regularly attended the local church in the town of her birth. Catherine Hayes was united in holy matrimony with Randolph Molex on August 25, 1945, in Morganza. Their union was blessed with four children. Randolph and Catherine were counted among those African Americans who were a part of "The Great Migration" to the North arriving in Wisconsin in the early 1950's. After attending Canaan Baptist Church for several years, in 1968 she and Randolph began fellowship with Historic Trinity Evangelical Church in Milwaukee. Both were very active. She served as a Trustee on the finance committee, a member on the Altar Guild, and participated in the LWML - Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She planned the church's annual fellowship, a Fireside Dinner Theater event. Catherine loved theater and was a season ticket holder for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. She loved gardening and assisted Historic Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in planting their church grounds. Further, she was as an active member of the Mayor's Beautification committee and one of the first on the team to plant flowers and shrubs at the new Summerfest grounds on Milwaukee's Lakefront. Her own yard won an award too! Subsequent to her marriage to the children's father, and after his death, Catherine again entered into Holy Matrimony with William Thompson Jr. The two enjoyed a long and loving marriage until his death in January 2011. She was employed by the United States Postal Service- Shorewood Branch as a Distribution/Window Clerk for 28 years until her retirement in 1984. As testimony to a life-well lived Catherine began several volunteer and membership opportunities after her retirement. Never one to sit idle she began sewing and mending clothes for the St. Mary Catholic Church Sisters on 35th and North Ave. She was an expert seamstress and with Singer sewing machine in tow she would visit once a week and repair bedding, curtains, garments, and whatever else that needed her attention. Catherine was the Chairperson of the M.O.R.E. (Maximizing Opportunities in a Restructuring Economy) Project. It was a healthcare training program for City of Milwaukee residents where they helped many people get into the healthcare field. The program participants ranged from nursing assistants to those entering college to obtain degrees in healthcare. Catherine's personal interests included shopping, gardening, singing, reading, traveling, cooking, and baking. Karen once received a sock-it-to-me cake for her birthday, suspended in the shipping container Catherine packed; still in one piece and delicious. This totally astounded her co-workers. Catherine H. Thompson peacefully departed this life on August 31, 2020. She is preceded in death by her loving husband and the father of her children, Randolph Molex Sr.; current husband, William Thompson; youngest son, Reginald Molex; parents, Willie, and Edna Hayes; and two brothers, Chester, and Charles Hayes. She leaves to cherish her memory: three surviving children, ~ Norvell Molex Sr., Randolph (Carol) Molex [r., and Karen (Charles) Molex-Martin; grandchildren, NorvellJr., (josephine) MolexJr., Asia (Rashad) Molex, and Jumaane (Megan) Hoover; great grandchildren, Christion (Mackenzie) Quaye, Emmanuel Molex, Norvell Molex Ill, Janai Molex, Alexander Molex, and River Hoover. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives. Friends over the ages continue to maintain special bonds including, Mary Foxworth Breaks, Molly Hartley, Ruby Walker, and Annabelle Wilburn.

Ms. Catherine H. Thompson

July 9, 1924 - August 31, 2020