Dr. Darlene Blackwell Bennett Thompson's Obituary
Funeral services for Dr. Darlene Blackwell Bennett Thompson, Ed.D., will be held Tuesday, February 16th at 2 pm at the First Baptist Church in Leesville with Rev. Jeff Coleman and Rev. Craig Forgue officiating. Burial will follow at the Welcome Cemetery in Simpson, LA. Services are under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville.
Visitation will be Monday, February 15th from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and then Tuesday 12 noon until service all at the church.
Darlene was the daughter of Odis Pharon (O.P.) and Carrie Knight Blackwell, she was born June 28, 1931 in Simpson, LA she passed February 12, 2016 with her loving family by her side at her home in Leesville, LA.
DARLENE THOMPSON – “The Many Rooms of Her Life”
In the Bible, John Wrote “In my Father’s House are many mansions, (or many rooms). Darlene’s life had many rooms and she filled them all to their fullest.
Darlene’s rooms began to be formed at an early age. Her love for music began at the age of eight when she began taking piano lessons. By the age of twelve, she was playing the piano for churches in the local area. This love of learning, music, and her devotion to God, continued throughout her entire life. The rooms that she would later fill in her life were being formed at an early age. One room was filled with education. She loved to learn and spent many years of her life learning. She first entered Lamar Junior College to pursue a career in music. After she graduated from the junior college with a two year degree in music, she entered Northwestern State University (NSU) and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music. As life sometimes is, she began her career in Elementary Education as a second grade teacher. NSU soon offered a Master’s Program, and in three summers graduated with a Masters in Elementary Education.
Loving to teach, she continued her career and went back to NSU and completed the 30 Plus Program. As the years went by, NSU offered a Doctoral Program in elementary education, and in three years graduated with a Doctorate of Education Degree. When opportunities opened in Texas, Darlene retired from the Louisiana Teaching System and moved to Vidor, Texas where she became the Director of Alternative School Program. This filled her room as an educator.
Another room in Darlene’s life was filled with music. She always had a love for playing the piano and singing. She taught piano as a high school student and continued all her life to teach young people and adults to play the piano. She used this talent in her church work and worked as music director for different churches. Her love for music led her to learn to play other instruments. She played the organ, the violin, and in the latter part of her life, began to try her hand at the steel guitar. Music was always a part of Darlene’s life.
Her next full room was spent serving the Lord. She loved the Lord and loved to work for him. She served as Vacation Bible School organizer, Music Director, Sunday School teacher, and served on various church boards. She served where ever the Lord called her. The Lord led it upon her heart to start an Assembly of God Church. Following God’s direction, she drew the plans and organized the First Assembly Church of Simpson,
Darlene is survived by her husband of 25 years Retired US Army LTC Mitchell G. Thompson of Leesville; her children, Debra Bennett Beckwith (John H. Beckwith III) of Simpson, Eric Blane Bennett (Taini Larney Bennett) of Leesville, La and Denise Bennett Wills of Leesville, La; her step children, Mitchell Glen Thompson, Jr. (Francis) of Chicago, Il, William Richard Thompson (Pamela) of Miami, FL and Julie Ann Thompson, San Antonio, FL; Her grandchildren, Autumn Beschoner Boudreaux ( Branch Boudreaux) of Simpson, John H. Beckwith IV of Natchitoches, LA, Ryan B. Beckwith of Simpson, Aaron B. Bennett (Brandy Bennett) of Leesville, Brett L. Bennett of Leesville, Chamberlyn Wills of Leesville, Chandler Wills of Leesville; Great Grandchildren, Payton Miller, Preston Miller, John "J J" Beckwith V, Gentry Bennett, and Shalyn Bennett.
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