Marilyn V. Thompson

Marilyn V. Anderson was born on February 21, 1933 in Bakersfield California. She attended local schools in Bakersfield. She graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1950 where she was active in the Choir and Modern Dance. She was a sports enthusiast which led her to the love of her life Aleck Thompson. They were wed on September 25, 1950. To this union three children were born. Steven Thompson, June 28, 1951, Stanley Thompson, March 9, 1953, and Marilyn V. Thompson, June 30, 1959.

Mom began working in 1978 at JC Penny's downtown as a sales associate and retired at JC Penny's Valley Plaza. Mom had many hobbies such as sewing. She did alterations for friends, family, and made wedding attire. She loved to garden, complete word puzzles, crossword puzzles, board games, anything that would stimulate her mentally and intellectually. While at the ADAKC she loved doing crafts, making quilts, and painting, and playing ball toss.

When the opportunity presented itself, Mom loved to travel. She traveled to Nassau Bahamas and Las Vegas Veronica, her daughter stated, "Watching Mom graduate from the quarter slots to the dollar slots was so entertaining!" She also traveled to Discovery Bay, Seattle, and Mexico. Mom had the opportunity to see Alvin's Ailey's Dance Theater of Harlem, Lion King, Ruby Dee's Live One Woman Show and Luther Vandross in concert. Mom was a music lover! Often we would hear her singing Motown favorites, R&B, Ballads, Jazz, Classical, Classic movie theme songs, and songs from Broadway musicals. Her favorite musical artist were Sam Cook, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Staple Singers, Aretha Franklin, Nat King Cole, and Michael Jackson. There are so many more, but too many to name.

Mom's love of sports was profound. She loved Tennis, Football, Baseball, Track and Field, Basketball, and Golf. Her sports knowledge ranged from High school, college, and the professional. She loved to keep statistics and was very knowledgeable of each sporting event and athlete. Her favorite baseball team was the Los Angeles Dodgers where she experienced the joy of watching the Dodgers play at Dodger Stadium. She knew all of the players' names, batting averages, batting order, positions, which players were being traded. She enjoyed watching March Madness, NCAA Playoffs, The Majors in Tennis, and Masters in Golf, NBA playoffs, The Super bowl, the World Series, and The Olympics.

Mom had an unconditional love for her family. She had a kind spirit and had the capacity to make everyone feel good about themselves. Mom was also known for her culinary skills such as collard and mustard greens, rice dressing, peach cobbler, potato salad, tamale pie, lemon cake, sweet potato pie, pineapple upside cake, and baked chicken. Everyone had their favorite and she aimed to please by making it for them without question!

Marilyn is proceeded in death by her husband Aleck Q. Thompson, her parents Charles and Ada Anderson, her sisters: Dorothy Ford, Shirlee Dieudonne, Marguerite Roberson, June Whitfield, Betty Coates and her brothers: Charles Anderson and Bobby Anderson. She is survived by 3 sisters: Jeanette Marsh, Melba Harrison, and Wilma Bradford, 2 brothers: Paul Anderson, Lester Anderson, her children Steven Thompson (Cheryl), Stanley Thompson Sr. (Kathy), and Marilyn Diaz. Grandchildren include: Stanley Jr. (Leslie), Hillary, Steven II, Sara, Brandon (Christina), Nathan (Jeanette), and Eboni. Along with several great-grandchildren, a host of nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends. Our family would like to acknowledge Dr. Jennifer Abraham, ADAKC, four West Memorial Hospital, Wade Budney of "A Helping Hand" Senior Services, Raj and Lovey at Hoffmann Hospice, Olivia and staff at Arcadia Gardens residential care home for their exceptional care of our mother.