Reverend G. Harold Thompson, Sr.

Born on May 14th, 1934, to Grace Thompson and Mary Ford-Thompson, Harold entered this world as a force of nature in New Miami, Ohio. While he was the 10th child of 11, he paved his own way through a life well-lived. He met his beloved wife of 65 years, Gloria Lucille Richards, in 1955. Both were students at the HBU, Cheyney University. They soon married and began their family of three children, George Jr., Tia, and his "baby" Monica. Eventually settling in Wilmington, Delaware, Harold started his career in academia as an elementary school, social studies teacher. His impact upon the education community left an indelible mark, having spent more than 35 years in the industry. While his roots began in the Brandywine School District School Board. As he served on the school board for more than a decade, he also found his true calling as a theologian. Mr. T, as everyone affectionately called him, became a pastor in the AME church. He helmed Mt. Hebron AME Church in Lynwood, PA, for over 10 years until he and Gloria decided it was time to enjoy their golden years, finally retiring to Richmond Hill, GA. However, retirement was not in Harold's vocabulary. After moving to Georgia, Harold and Gloria opened Richmond Hill's only black-owned bakery.  

However, if you asked Harold about his proudest accomplishment, it would be raising his three beautiful children. As the family's patriarch, he instilled a sense of commitment and work ethic in his kids. He and Gloria managed to usher all three children through college. Harold and his family also raised Dr. Bertice Berry as one of their own. If you ask his three kids about their most cherished “dad” memory, they would say that Harold prayed, and he prayed often. He'd recite the following prayer consistently and faithfully: 

“Father God in the name of Jesus, I humbly bow before you today to thank you for last night’s sleep and this morning’s early rising. I praise you today for giving me a reasonable portion of health and strength. For all these things, I praise your precious, precious name. Amen!” Harold died as he lived, deeply rooted in his faith in the Lord, and for this, his family praises the precious, precious name of the Lord as they thank God for Harold’s exceptionally happy life and his extraordinarily peaceful passing.