Dr. Mary L. Thompson

DR. MARY L. THOMPSON, daughter of the late Elder Henry D. Ball and Missionary Marie M. Ball was born September 13, 1947, in Kingston, Jamaica; the last of seven children was affectionately called “Kitts” by her father and “Kitty,” by her family and very close friends.

Dr. Thompson, DuSable High School, class of ’65 – one of the “Top Outstanding Graduates”, earned a school letter for Academic Achievement and member of the Concert and Marching bands. An Associate’s Degree in Science was conferred with honors. In 1998, Dr. Thompson completed the Ordination curriculum at Aenon Bible College concurrent with a graduate curriculum at the Apostolic University of Grace and Truth. She was ordained at the Illinois District Council session in July ’98 and received her Masters of Christian Education – Cum Laude the following week.

Prayer and sacrifice were her daily bread. Her faith in God allowed her to do great exploits. Her life was a true testament of God’s healing and miracles. Just hours after Dr. Thompson gave birth to two beautiful twin daughters, she experienced complications and the doctor gave her 24 hours to live. Upon hearing the news, Dr. Thompson turned her face to the wall and asked God for a bit more time because she did not want another woman raising her girls. God granted her request. As the years went on, God continued to demonstrate healing. In the mid-1980’s, Dr. Thompson developed a rare liver disease called Cholangiocarcinoma with a life expectancy of less than a year. Her testimony was thankfulness because others who she knew with the same illness never lived beyond the estimated life expectancy. The devil thought he won… but God. In 2004, Dr. Thompson’s illness flared up and once again the doctors told her the illness had run its course and to spend her last days with her family. But God once again offered healing and extended her life.

Through all of her illnesses, Dr. Thompson continued to work because she is not a talker, but a doer. She worked untiringly in ministry and her home church for over 50 years. Everyone that knew her loved her patience and expertise on many levels. She taught – this was her favorite—and worked as the church Administrator, Director of Women Ministries and an advisor to other church auxiliaries. Dr. Thompson also conducted and facilitated on a professional level many seminars and workshops throughout Illinois in high schools, colleges and professional career conferences on various subject matters. She worked diligently with the Illinois District Council and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. Dr. Thompson formally served as the PAW Administrator – responsible for all administrative business matters of the organization and managed the International Headquarters staff. She reported directly to the former Presiding Bishop, Horace E. Smith, M.D. Dr. Thompson also worked for 20 years in Human Resources with a concentration in Benefits Administration progressing her career to the senior executive level in fortune 500 companies. She strived for excellence in everything she did and taught this value to her students.

God proved goodness to Dr. Thompson. One of her favorite sayings was that “God honors faithfulness.” Through her faithfulness, God continuously healed her. Though her illness flared up again in the past two years she fought her battle with dignity and grace. God called Dr. Thompson from her earthly home on Friday, June 15, 2012 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.