Shirley T. Thompson

SHIRLEY T. THOMPSON was born November 28, 1938 in Calvert County, Maryland to the late Bertha Spriggs and William Evan. She was raised by her grandparents, James and Coreda Spriggs on their farm in Dunkirk, MD. She attended Anne Arundel County public schools and Wiley H. Bates High School in Annapolis, MD from which she graduated with honors. She received a scholarship offer to Elizabeth Town College in New Jersey. She married Charles Mackall on December 15, 1956 and from this union one son was born Alonzo Mackall. She started her work career with the City of Baltimore Social Services division as a clerk typist in 1958. Shirley was often given the responsibility of taking under-performing units and raising their level of productivity. She was called the “trouble shooter”. She earned a Mayor's Citation for Splendid Quality of Public Service to the City of Baltimore in 1978. Shirley was also presented a Department of Social Services Courtesy Campaign Award in 1983. She retired from the position of Assistant District Manager for the City of Baltimore's Medical Assistance Program after over 40 years of service in 2002. Shirley married Raymond Thompson in June 1967. Raymond Thompson succumbed to illness and died in February 1973. Shirley lived for her family. She had tremendous love for her grandparents, son, and grandchildren. For over 60 years, she had a special love and friendship with her best friend, Rosada Thompson. She had a special love and relationship with her daughter-in-law. Shirley enjoyed all sports, especially the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens, except for Joe Flacco. She loved to work on home improvements but she had a special love for her flowers and her home garden. She spent many hot summer days nurturing her plants. Her favorite pastime was eating crabs, which her son often gifted her. Shirley was known to eat crabs from sun up to sun down. She was tremendously influenced by her grandparents. She was raised by them on their farm and assisted them with all farm related chores throughout her upbringing. Once Shirley moved to Baltimore City she frequently took trips back to the farm to assist her grandparents. Shirley regularly reminisced about her days working in the tobacco field. She would often tell stories about how she had to walk 30 miles (then it was 40 miles, then it was 50 miles) to be picked up by the school bus. She touched many lives throughout her life. Many of her employees remained in contact with her even after her retirement. Shirley spoke highly of her family and upbringing in Dunkirk, MD. She never missed an opportunity to visit and socialize with her family and she looked forward to her annual family reunions. Shirley was respected and loved by all her neighbors who often teased her about having the best flowers in the neighborhood. Shirley's love for her family was unconditional. She always sacrificed for the betterment of her family Her son was the center of her world and beyond. Shirley was known for having the kindest heart. She repeatedly hosted family holidays where she could cook her grandmother's recipes. She loved to travel with her companion of 30 years Kenneth Squire. Shirley gave the most thoughtful and best advice to her loving grandchildren. She leaves to cherish her memory: her son, Alonzo; daughter-in-law, Vanessa; grandchildren, Marcus and Takera; companion of thirty years, Kenneth Squire; best friend of sixty years, Rosada Thompson; godson, Tony Simmons; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Shirley T. Thompson

November 28, 1938 - March 10, 2018