Mittie Elizabeth Thompson

Mittie Elizabeth (Liz) Welty Thompson passed away on March 28, 2012, from complications related to ALS. Liz was born on March 10, 1944, in Jackson, Mississippi, the daughter of Walter and Mittie Creekmore Welty. She attended Jackson Public Schools and graduated in 1962 from Murrah High School. Liz attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, receiving an associate of arts degree. She continued her education at the University of Mississippi and graduated with a degree in library science in 1967. Liz was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

Following graduation, Liz returned to Jackson, MS, where she met her husband of 42 years, Frederick (Fred) Henderson Thompson of Jackson, MS. Liz was a member of the Junior League of Jackson and Christ United Methodist Church and served on the boards of the Spann Elementary PTA and the Jackson Prep Parents and Teacher Association. Liz also served on the Eudora Welty Foundation, for which she performed the duties of corresponding secretary, and she was recently elected to an emeritus position.

After her children finished their educations, Liz returned to her career as a librarian and served as a librarian at several Jackson law firms. In 2000 she became the Information Processing Librarian at the Mississippi State Law Library and was a member of the Central Mississippi Library Council. While working at the State Law Library, Liz discovered a rare 1845 map of Mississippi. She was instrumental in overseeing the preservation of this map that now hangs in the lobby of the Gartin Justice Building. Liz retired in October 2011.

Liz’s generous spirit, keen mind, ready laugh, and love of rock-n-roll (especially Elvis) will endure in the memory of friends and family. Her college friends recall gathering in their dorm rooms to listen to music and note that Liz was always ready to show them the latest dance step. This love of music began at an early age when Liz’s aunt Eudora Welty taught her the dance Ballin’ the Jack in the living room of the Welty house. From the start, music, friendship, and family were inextricably woven together in the fabric of a life well lived.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents. In addition to her husband Fred, she is survived by her daughter, Leslie Thompson Jacobs and her husband Michael, of Madison; son Zachary Welty Thompson, his wife Crystal, and their daughters Natalie Bond Thompson and Emily Elizabeth Thompson, all of Madison; sister Mary Alice Welty White and her husband, Donny; nephews, Donald Alexander(Alex) White, Jr. and his wife Kim of Columbia, MD; Andrews (Andy) Welty White and his wife Caroline of Jackson, MS; niece Elizabeth Eudora White of Baton Rouge, LA; aunt Elinor Saul Welty of Brandon, MS; first cousins Wade Hampton Creekmore and his wife Betsy of Jackson, MS; and James Hiram Creekmore and his wife Meredith of Jackson.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 30, from 5 until 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 31, beginning at 10 a.m. at Wright & Ferguson, 350 High Street, Jackson, MS. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Wright & Ferguson chapel. Johnny Barlow, Jerry Farris, Toby Gatewood, Dr. Eddie Johnson, Larry Lowery, and Sammy Wheeler will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ALS Association, Hospice Ministries, or to the charity of your choice.