Dr. Pastor Mattie Thompson was born April 14, 1934 to Ellen Bell Gibbs, and raised by Preston and Ella Powell, all of whom preceded her in death. Dr. Thompson is formerly from Carthage, Texas where she worked and reared her family. While living in Carthage, she served with Pine Grove Baptist and Carthage Church of God in Christ. She retired from Carthage ISD with 30 years of experience in the educational field.
Pastor Thompson attended Carthage Colored School and married the late James (Buster) Thompson in 1949. From this union were born six children, with one child, Charlene Thompson, and one niece, whom she raised, Verlan Morris, preceding her in death. Dr. Thompson was also “second mother” to her husband’s nieces and nephew, Margie Salone, Verlan Morris, and Robert Charles (Teresa) Thompson. She welcomed and loved them like her own and because of that love, her children forged a siblings’ bond that remains stronger than ever today.
Dr. Thompson will be lovingly remembered by her family; her children; Diane Canida, Shirley Menefee Anderson, James (Brenda) Thompson Jr., Gerald Thompson and Tammy Thompson; her nine grandchildren - Frances Meader, Kevin Canida, Sheila Dobbins, Tiffani Sauls, Rass Canida III, Christopher Pope, Kimesha Canida, Dameyun Thompson and Joshua Thompson; by her great grandchildren - Whitney Mitchell, Brandon Strawn, Xavier Dobbins, Blake Thomas, Ian Parish, Cedric Wilcots, Keland (Zhanae) Jackson, Kevin Dobbins Jr., Madison Canida, Myles Meader, and Kendall Jackson; by her great-great grandchildren - Amoriyah Strawn, Brayden Strawn, Chad “Nub” Strawn, Kyren Strawn, Xa-Miya Dobbins, Gabriel Jackson, Keland Jackson Jr.; by her sisters - Pastor Mary Cartwright, Velma Gibbs, Daisy (Sylvester) Harper, Ruby Nell Osborne, and Peggy (Hobert) Nelson; sisters-in-law - Inola (Zeb) Thomas and Lorene Ransom; by her beloved Aunt - Rosie Brewer of Tulsa, OK; and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Determination and purpose has always been the fuel which propelled Dr. Thompson’s drive. Marrying at such a young age left little time for much else however after her children were born she went on to get her GED. She also achieved her BA, MA, and PHD degrees.
Dr. Thompson accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1966. She fervently and passionately sought to grow stronger in the Lord; evangelizing throughout Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, The Bahamas, and more, gaining prestige, respect, and recognition as a warrior for Christ. In 1987, as a licensed missionary, she boldly accepted the calling God placed on her life, to Pastor... Thus began New Life Outreach. Even though she was met with ridicule, harsh judgment, strife, criticism, and disrespect as a female “pastor”, she persevered, remaining steadfast and immovable. Because of her obedience, God continued to bless her ministry. She’s been instrumental in leading many to Christ by living the Word she preached.