Mrs. Willie Ruth Thompson

Willie Ruth Thompson -- affectionately-known as Snook was born on Decem- ber 20,1926, to the late Adam and Hattie (Hayes) Potter in Braxton, MS. She was the firstborn of seven children in this union. Willie received Christ at eight and was a member of Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church (Braxton, MS). She was preceded in death by her husband Ulysses Thompson, two brothers: Senior Potter, Carl Potter, three sisters: Lois Sykes (Lenneal), Pauline Potter, and Ruby Nichols, and one daughter: Claudia Ruth Sandles. Willie Ruth attended The Historical Black Piney Woods School in Rankin County, MS. She graduatedfromMcLaurin high school in Florence, MS in June 1944. She attended Tuskegee University inAL and relocated to Duluth Minnesota to find employment. Independent and self-determined, Willie Ruth returned to Mississippi -- little did she know Ulysses (Tunna Johnson) was waiting for her return. Willie Ruth was united in Holy Matrimony to Ulysses Thompson on March 07, 1948. To this union, Ulysses and Willie Ruth Thompson were blessed with eight children. In April 1951, Ulysses and Willie Ruth moved to Milwaukee, WI to obtain a better life for them and their children. She was employed at Heinemann Bakery, Blackhawk Tannery, and American Plastic Corporation. After an illness in 1974, she became a full-time homemaker. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend, a member of metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church (missionary and hospitality auxiliary), a frequent gardener, a superb soulful cook, a lover of travel -- especially to Braxton, MS, a long-term member of the neighborhood watch community, a sweet spirit who never met a stranger, a person who made people feel welcomed and loved, and, above all, a beautiful soul who touched countless lives. Willie Ruth was born to eternal life on August 11, 2020. She leaves to cherish so many beautiful memories with her eight children: Lee Vartis Burch and Bernett Thompson (Florence, MS); Pastor Evie Thompson, Richard Thompson, Morris Thompson, Janice Thompson, Danny Thompson (Amy) (Milwaukee, WI); and Inabelle thompson (Fort Smith, AR). She has one sister who resides in Jackson, MS Mae Grace Bibbs, and a wonderful blessing of 26 grandchildren, 34 great- grandchildren, 17 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special close friend, Alonza Alexander (loved you like a son).

Mrs. Willie Ruth Thompson

December 20, 1926 - August 11, 2020