Alvin E. Thompson, Sr.

Alvin Earl Thompson was born July 4, 1963 in Fordyce, Arkansas to Ruthie Mae Thompson and Larence Terry Gregory. Alvin departed this life on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Conway Regional Medical Center. 

He confessed Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Gillard Baptist Church in Bearden, Arkansas. He later united with the First Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. C.D. Stuart. He was ordained as a deacon on July 31, 1994.

He attended Bearden Public Schools, where he was active in football and basketball. He graduated in May of 1981. Upon graduating, he began his career and eventually joined the military. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as part of the 444^th Maintenance Co. of East Camden. He was honorably discharged on June 29, 1993 as a specialist. Alvin was also hired at the Bearden Lumber Company (Anthony Timberlands) in the summer of 1981 and worked there for 42 years, beginning as a kiln operator, and advancing to lead man. 

He is the proud father of two children, Sharika Newton and Alvin Thompson, Jr. Following many years of friendship, he married the love of his life, Tamora Walker Williams on November 16, 2019 and gained a bonus daughter, Adrianna Williams. Over the years, their blended family has expanded to include four precious grandchildren, who are adored greatly by their PawPaw, MeeMo, and all of their grandparents and family. 

Church and family were always top priority with Alvin. He made time to support his children, grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and others for school activities, church, birthdays, graduations, family outings and other events. He loved traveling and experiencing new things. He served the Lord with gladness and loved attending church. He was chairman of the Finance Committee, Vice President of the Brotherhood Department, Sunday School teacher, assistant superintendent of Sunday School and was responsible for the yard upkeep. 

He was a joyful and regular giver of his time and resources. Some charities included St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Arkansas Children’s Hospital and any fundraisers for local churches, college scholarships or the Bearden community. He was always willing to give his time and show support. Another passion was lawn maintenance. He took pride in making sure the lawns at home and other local churches were immaculate and neat. He also voluntarily cut some widows’ lawns. 

He was a member of the Bearden NAACP and served on the communications committee. A sports enthusiast, his favorite teams were the Arkansas Razorbacks and Dallas Cowboys. He loved talking about sports daily with his son, A.J., uncles, nephews, co-workers, and others. Whether you referred to him as Deacon Al, Uncle Al, Mr. Al, or Big Al, you could always count on him to be available, positive, joyful, and uplifting. He was generous, always complimenting ladies on how beautiful they are and showing brotherly love to men. He was a great mentor, role model and leader at his job, church, and community, by simply showing up, following through, and finishing the task. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruthie Thompson, Larence Terry Gregory and one sister, Laurine Gibbs. 

He is survived by his wife, Tamora Thompson of Conway, AR; two daughters, Sharika Newton of Conway, AR; Adrianna Williams of Texarkana, AR; one son, Alvin “A.J.” Thompson, Jr. of Fordyce, AR;  four grandchildren, A’kirah Ester of Conway, AR; Dequarius “D.Q.” Campbell, Jr. of Texarkana, AR; twin granddaughters, A’ja and Ayla Thompson of Fordyce, AR; two bonus grandchildren, Mieyauna Jones of Fordyce, AR; Kristin “KayKay”  Perry of Pine Bluff, AR; and a special daughter in love, Angela Thomas of Fordyce, AR. 

He is  also survived by one great uncle, John “Pete” Thrower of Fordyce, AR; two aunts, Mildred (Elmer Lee) Juniel of Bearden, AR; Shirley Williams of Fordyce, AR; one uncle, who is also his pastor, Rev. Verna Thompson of Bearden, AR; one bonus mother, Esther Gregory of Bearden, AR; mother in love, Norma Jones of Conway, AR; five sisters in love, Tonya (Greg) Alexander of Lawrenceville, GA; Tonya Curry of Camden, AR; Donna Davis of Conway, AR; Tacara (Lawrence) Green of Conway, AR; Chatia (Lemeal) Gardener of Stillwater, MN;  two brothers in love, R.C. “Buddy” Walker, III of Santa Clara, CA and Deacon Brian Wright of Bearden, AR. 

He leaves to mourn his passing, eighteen siblings. Eleven sisters, Theresa (Curtis) Harris of Little Rock, AR; Sandra Graham of Conway, AR; Bobbie (Larry) White of Malvern, AR; Verma (Curtis) Hopson of Conway, AR; Linda Murrell of Bearden, AR; LaNette (Rob) Belin of Thornton, AR; Joyce (Rev. Jeffery) Darrough, Michelle Craig of Malvern, AR; Ann Brown of Thornton, AR; Glenda (Curtis) Bowie of Kingsland, AR; Tranikia (James) Thompson of Columbia, MO; seven brothers, Terry Lawrence Gregory, Sr. of Camden, AR; Lawrence Terry (Tina) Gregory, Jr. of Arkadelphia, AR; Willie Miller of Chicago, IL; DeWayne (Ophelia) Miller of Joliet, IL; Robert “Bernard” Miller, Jerome Thompson, Bruce Thompson all of Bearden, AR; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Bro. Carlos Chambers, Bro. Billy Ray Ferrell, Sr., Bro. Demeara Ferrell, Bro. Chris Gibbs, Bro. Kreston Gibbs, Bro. Alex Gregory, Bro. Maurice Jackson, Bro. Kendrick Juniel, Bro. Keyon Lowe, Bro. Terrence Parham, Bro. Delenell Reid, Bro. Ricky Scott, Jr., and Bro. Jerome Thompson, Jr. will serve as active pallbearers. 

The Class of 1981 and nieces will serve as floral escorts. 

Honorable to mention are Bro. L.J. Brown, Bro. Michael Griffith, Bro. Verna Hall, Bro. Carl Hartley, Deacon Randy Hempstead, Bro. Fred King, Bro. Dennis Lambert, Bro. Tony Mays, Deacon Leodis Nelson, Bro. Freddie Owens, Bro. Ricky Scott, Bro. Don Thompson, Deacon Ronnie Thompson, Deacon Verna Thompson, Jr., Deacon Thomas Thrower, Bro. Alvis Walston, Deacon Brian Wright, and Bro. RobeNort Ferrell. 

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024, at First Missionary Baptist Church, 701 N. Oak Street, Bearden, AR 71720. Additional viewing will be from 11:00 a.m.  until 2:00 p.m., at Williams Funeral Home in Arkadelphia, AR. 

A homegoing celebration will be at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at First Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Verna Thompson, eulogist. The interment will be at White Springs Cemetery in Bearden, Arkansas.