C. Maude Thompson

Charlie Maude (Willis) Thompson, the only child of Charlie Jack and Eddie Maude Willis, who preceded her in death, was born in Hogansville, GA. The Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, baptized her in January, 1944.
She was brought to Cincinnati to live at the age of seven, by her aunt and uncle, Luther and Annie Mitchell, where she was raised with cousins who were like a sister and brothers: Judith, Donald and Thomas Edward. She united with Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Lincoln Heights, OH during this time.
Important to her, is the fact that she graduated from Lockland Wayne High School in Lockland, OH during the time of segregation. This African-American high school cultivated the desire for many students to matriculate through college despite the adversities they faced during the 1950s.
Upon receipt of scholarships from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Valley Forge Club, ?C. Maude? as she is known, began college at what is now known as Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. She later completed a B.S. (?70) and M.A. (?76) in Education at the University of Cincinnati. She taught for many years at Taft Elementary School and was an Assistant Principal at Whittier and Washington Elementary Schools, and worked in various capacities at Heinold, Douglass and Burton Elementary Schools. She retired in 1983 as Principal of Roll Hill Ele-mentary School. Educating the youth, was her passion.
An unwavering faith in God was dear to her. She joined Greater Liberty Baptist Church in Madisonville, OH in 1958, where she taught Sunday School approximately 40 years. Other activities included: Belles of Liberty Choir, Bible Study classes, Vacation Bible School teacher, organ-izer of the Enrichment Club, leader of the after school program, Pastoral Selection Committee, Satisfied Seniors and crocheting class.
?C Maude? loved to give back through community service. She was a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was initiated in Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., later uniting with Phi Psi Omega Chapter in 2005. She was a docent at the National Underground Freedom Center, an usher at The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, a member of the NAACP, Madisonville and Kennedy Heights Senior Clubs, Ohio Retired and Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association. Her other interests included the creative writer?s group in Madeira and member of a pokeno club.
World traveler that she was, she has visited: Alaska, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Switzerland, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Morocco, West Africa, Aruba, Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas and most of the United States.
Cherishing her memory forever and lessons learned are: her daughter, Alicia Thompson; granddaughters, Briana and Kristin Lynem; goddaughter, Michaela Tall; and many friends and family she held very dear to her heart.