Aria Marie Dorsey Thompson

Mrs. Aria Thompson passed away Thursday at her residence. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Second Missionary Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Nika L.J. Davis, Sr. officiating. Burial will be at Doris Miller Memorial Park. Aria Marie Dorsey was born May 16, 1918 in Perry, Texas to the union of Columbus and Celesta Merritt Dorsey. She was the ninth child born and the last of thirteen that lived. Area professed her faith in God and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior at the New Zion Baptist Church of Sunset Community under the pastorate of her grandfather, Rev. Murrell Dorsey. Aria wedded Cullen F. Thompson in 1949. This union was blessed with two daughters, Sharon and Frances Thompson. The family united in membership with the Second Missionary Baptist Church of Waco, Texas where she remained a faithful member. Aria's teaching career in the Sunset Community, Groesbeck I.S. D. and the Waco Independent School District spanned over fifty years. She touched the lives of many. During this time she opened her heart and home to many foster children. Aria was warm, loving and giving. She was a wonderful Mother and Friend. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her siblings. She leaves to mourn her daughters, Sharon Bradley of Dallas, Frances Tucker of Waco, and Margie Sparks of Stockton, Calif.; sons-in-law, Foy Bradley, Donald Tucker and Earl Sparks; sisters-in-law; Althea Dorsey, Lucille Dorsey and Dorothy Dorsey, all of the Waco area; grandchildren, Audwin Tucker, Bianca Sorrells, Timothy Bradley, Faron Bradley, Shannon Vaughn, William Bradley, Tivoli Walker, Dedrian White and Leondre Jarrett; thirteen great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, foster children and friends. Dorsey-Keatts, Waco May 16, 1918 - Dec. 20, 2005