Kenneth Purcell Thompson

1947 - 2020

Thompson, Kenneth Purcell

August 10, 1947 - December 28, 2020

ARCHDALE – Kenneth Purcell Thompson left his earthly body on Monday, December 28, 2020 at the age of 73.

He was born August 10, 1947, in Charlotte and was the son of the late Ozzie A. and Lillian P. Thompson who were wed as college students at Johnson C. Smith University. Kenneth attended elementary and junior high school in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. He graduated from West Charlotte Senior High School in 1965, where he participated in a variety of curricular and extra-curricular activities. In addition to those activities, Kenneth was a member of the National Junior Honor Society, Cavalier Social Club and the Math Club.

He attended North Carolina Central University earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Geography with focus on intermediate grades in 1971. He also attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte completing his teacher certification in 1973. Kenneth worked for several years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg before moving his family to Greensboro where he enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It was there that he completed a master's degree program leading to Masters of Education focusing on Educational Administration in 1989. Kenneth also completed the Principal's Executive Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994.

Kenneth's professional career was both diverse and varied. He began his career as a teacher, assistant principal and football coach in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools serving at Montclair Elementary, Windsor Park Elementary, Cornelius Elementary Schools, and Eastway Junior High School. After moving to Greensboro, Kenneth continued his professional career serving as a teacher at Murphey Elementary and later at Greensboro Optional School. He was chosen to become Assistant Principal at Kiser Middle School in 1986 and was appointed as the principal at General Greene School of Science and Technology in 1990. Kenneth later served as principal at Southeast Guilford High School from 1994-1999, completing his administrative service at James B. Dudley High School from 2000-2002.

After retiring from Guilford County Schools, Kenneth returned to the district to serve as School Support Officer. He later served as School Safety Officer and supported the Student Services Department in a variety of roles.

Kenneth was an active member of Trinity Memorial United Methodist Church where he served in a variety of roles including Chairperson of the Finance Committee, PPRC, UMM, Administrative Council and choir.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Reginald (Fayon) Thompson, both maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Deborah George-Thompson; daughter, Alicia Renee Thompson of Smyrna, Georgia; son, Damien Juan Thompson (Jennifer) of Denver, Colorado; and step-daughter, Jennifer G. Hinson (Joey) of Thomasville. In addition, there are four beautiful little girls who were the apples of his eyes – granddaughters, Zenophia and Nisa Thompson (Damien) and Isabel and Emaline Hinson. He is also survived by nephew, Derrick Thompson (Jennifer) of Charlotte; sister, Patricia L. Thompson of Stone Mountain, Georgia; a host of aunts, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, friends, coworkers and church family.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Kenneth's memorial service will be private, for family only. However, the service can be viewed live online at Trinity Memorial United Methodist Church's Facebook Page at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, January 3, 2021.

Condolences may be sent to the family online on Kenneth's tribute page at www.cumbyfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Trinity Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 52, Trinity, NC 27370 in care of the Josh George Education Fund with scholarships from the fund going to assist students graduating from Southeast Guilford and James B. Dudley High School; or donations can be made to Cancer Services, Inc., 3175 Maplewood Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Cumby Family Funeral Service

206 Trindale Road, Archdale, NC 27263