Dr. Barbara Guillory Thompson

Dr. Barbara Guillory Thompson, a former Dillard University professor for 42 years, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2015 in McComb, MS. Dr. Thompson served as Chair of the Sociology Department and the Division of Social Sciences. She is a native of New Orleans, a product of the public school system, and a sociology graduate from Dillard's Class of 1957. She earned an MA. in sociology from Louisiana State University in 1960. The same year she became a litigant in a successful class action suit against Tulane University, which allowed the admittance of Black students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Thompson made a significant impact outside of academia by serving on the New Orleans Civil Service Commission from 1981-1992 and Chair of the Commission from 1989-1992. She was the first Black woman, and non-attorney, to be named Chair. Thompson was also active in numerous professional and learned societies, such as the American Sociological and Southern Sociological Associations, She has numerous publications, honors, and awards, ranging from membership in the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame, to citations from the Governor of Louisiana, Mayor of New Orleans, and UNCF. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was the beloved daughter of the late Merix and Gay Williams Guillory. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Daniel C. Thompson, of Atlanta, GA., and one brother, Merix Guillory Thompson, Jr. She is survived by her brother, Dr. William A. Guillory of Salt Lake City, UT, also a graduate of Dillard University; three nieces, Monica, of Winston- Salem, NC; Lea L., and Kayla M. Guillory of Park City, UT; three nephews, Daniel S. Guillory (Sue) of San Francisco, CA; William, Jr. of New Orleans, LA, and Larry of Hardeeville, SC, and one sister- in- law, Ella Guillory also of Hardeeville, SC. She is also fondly remembered by her colleague and friend for 31 years, Dorothy V. Smith and her daughter Darlene Jackson (Michal) of McComb, MS. Services for Ms. Thompson will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at the Lawless Memorial Chapel at Dillard University at noon. Visitation for Ms. Thompson will be from 10:00am to 12:00 noon, services will immediately follow the viewing, at the Lawless Memorial Chapel on the campus of Dillard University. Internment at Mount Olivet Mausoleum, 4000 Norman Meyer Ave., New Orleans, LA. Following the burial, a repast will take place at Dillard University. Professional Services entrusted To Majestic Mortuary 1833 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. New Orleans, LA And Young's Funeral Home in Summit, MS