Sarah S. Thompson

1934 - 2025

With deep love and cherished memories, we celebrate the life and legacy of Sarah S. Thompson, who peacefully departed this life on June 29, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born on June 14, 1934, in Middlesex County, Virginia, Sarah was the beloved daughter of the late Richard Tabb, Sr. and Mary Olive Tabb. After graduating from high school, she moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she pursued her education at Cortez Peters Business School, earning a degree in Elementary Education. She later returned to obtain her cosmetology license, leading to a successful career as a self-employed cosmetologist.

While living in Baltimore, Sarah met and married the love of her life, Charlie Franklin Thompson, who would later become the Reverend Dr. Charlie Franklin Thompson. Their union spanned an inspiring 63 years, marked by love, faith, and partnership, until Reverend Thompson’s passing in 2017.

Together, they relocated to North Carolina, where Reverend Thompson attended and graduated from North Carolina A&T University. During that time, Sarah worked as a cashier and clerk stenographer for North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. The couple later moved to Newport News, Virginia, and eventually settled in Petersburg, Virginia, where Sarah continued to passionately pursue both education and cosmetology. She furthered her studies at The Modernistic Beauty College in Newport News, VA and The Flair Institute in Petersburg, VA.

Sarah served with distinction at Virginia State College (now Virginia State University) as executive secretary to the Dean of the Department of Education, while continuing her education in Secretarial Science. She later joined the Petersburg Public School System, where she served faithfully as executive secretary to the school principal until her retirement.

In addition to her professional career, Sarah and her husband were successful entrepreneurs. They owned and operated the Chick-A-Sea franchise restaurant in Emporia, Virginia, and P & T Supermarket, a well-loved community grocery store in Petersburg.

Sarah’s commitment to civic and professional service was extensive. She served for many years as an Officer of Elections, and was an active member of numerous organizations including:

- Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated

- Voter’s Registration of Petersburg

- Petersburg Education Association

- Council for Exceptional Children

- National Education Association

- Minister’s Wives and Widows of Petersburg and Vicinity (serving faithfully as Treasurer)

- Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated

Sarah accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at Grafton Baptist Church in Middlesex County. Upon relocating, she moved her membership to Metropolitan Baptist Church in Petersburg, VA. Later, the family joined Unity Baptist Church in Petersburg, where Sarah was deeply involved in the Christian Education and Pastoral Aid Ministries.

When her husband answered the call to ministry, Sarah embraced the role of First Lady with dignity and devotion, supporting him faithfully as he pastored Harrison Grove Baptist Church in Prince George, VA, and Little Shiloh Baptist Church in Emporia, VA. She accompanied him on countless preaching engagements and ministerial duties, offering spiritual and organizational support at every turn.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Reverend Dr. Charlie F. Thompson; and six siblings, Mrs. Inez Thorne, Mr. James Thorne, Mr. Charles Thorne, Mrs. Louise Osborne, Reverend Dr. Mary Garnett, and Mr. Richard Tabb.

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy: her devoted children, Charlene T. Carter (Reverend Dr. Harry Jr.), André F. Thompson (Jocelyn), and Sharon T. Pritchard (Roy); grandchildren, Adia Nuygen (Ryan) and Jonathan F. Carter; great grandchildren, Hayden and Harper Nuygen; brothers-in-law, Earnest Thompson (Marie) and Reverend Garry Garnett; goddaughter, Alva Myrick and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, church members, and all those whose lives were touched by her wisdom, kindness, and unwavering faith.

Sarah S. Thompson’s life was one of devotion - to God, to family, to education, and to community. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she enriched through her service, her mentorship, and her unconditional love.

Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2223 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, VA, Bishop Jeffrey L. Reaves, Sr., Pastor.  The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.