Alfreda Thompson

Alfreda Gail Thompson was born July 13, 1957 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Cora Thompson and Warner Baxter Thompson, Sr. as the younger sister of Mark Thompson and Warner Baxter Thompson, Jr. Alfreda attended Hopkinsville High School and graduated from there in 1975. She then came to WKU to pursue a degree in commercial art, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in 1981. After graduation, she spent two years as a Seaman in the United States Navy and was stationed in San Diego, California.

Alfreda then returned to Hopkinsville, where she worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide at Christian Health Center for 27 years. She also worked stints at Head Start preschool and Indian Hills Elementary School in Hopkinsville. A longtime member of Moore’s Baptist Church, she served on the Mother’s Board and taught Vacation Bible School. She was passionate about art and education and had a love and appreciation for WKU. Ever the creative person, she enjoyed painting, drawing pictures, and knitting teddy bears and blankets in her spare time. Alfreda had one son, Ryan Dearbone. She passed away April 9, 2016 at the age of 58 due to complications from Polycystic Kidney Disease.

To honor her memory, Ryan established the Alfreda Thompson Scholarship Fund. The fund assists underrepresented students from the Hopkinsville area in pursuing their educational goals. Through this fund, Alfreda’s legacy carries on in perpetuity.