Nadine Thompson Walston

Nadine Thompson Walston peacefully slept into the Lord's embrace on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at her home in Fordyce. A service of celebration of life will be shared with family and friends at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023, at Greenville First Baptist Church with Dr. David W. Webb, officiating, and Moderator Verna Thompson, eulogist. The interment will be at Greenville Cemetery. Public visitation will be at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Bearden on Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The Record – As written by Nadine Thompson Walston

My name is Nadine Thompson Walston, and I was born on February 5, 1942, to James Sherman and Bernice Thompson in Dallas County. During my early childhood, I gave my life to Christ and joined Mt. Gillard Baptist Church at that time under the leadership of Rev. W. M. Edwards.

I attended the Sparkman Training School and graduated in 1961. The first job I worked was for Benton Cleaners in Fordyce. I worked there for 7 years until I was hired at Fordyce Apparel Company. I worked hard as a young lady and stayed the course. After working their 18 years, my dad was so proud he helped me purchase my first car. I knew then that hard work does pay off.

While at Mt. Gillard, I had the greatest experience of working with the youth and I also was a member of the Usher Board. I represented Mt. Gillard in association work by serving as the chairlady for the Matrons of the Greater Bradley District Association. Later I joined Mt. Tabor Baptist Church where I had the privilege of teaching Sunday School and held my first church office as church treasurer, I served as chairperson of the pastor’s aide and I continued to Usher.

Lastly, I joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Bearden under the leadership of my brother, Rev. Verna Thompson. Yet, again fulfilling my calling as an usher, chairperson of the pastor’s aide, and assistant Sunday school teacher. I dutifully served Section #1 as 1st Vice President of the Women of the Greater Bradley District Association.

I later worked for Fordyce Picture Frame and worked there for one year and quit, that was not for me. I went back to the Apparel Company in 1980. Shortly thereafter the factory closed. I managed and lived off of unemployment for a while, but I made it with God’s help. I finally found a job working for Phelp Dodge – a cable plant and after 13 years the plant closed. When one door closed another door opened. I worked a Stants – pressure caps and quit after 5 months. It never took me long to figure out if a job was for me. I would quit in a minute. I found a job in Little Rock, Arkansas with Levi Strauss and after 5 years I gave it all up and retired….well at least I thought I did. I went to work again for Nancy Barrow at the Dry Cleaners doing alteration and pressing and after 3 years, I quit that too. This time I tried something a little different and worked as the apartment manager for Leisure Oaks Apartments for seven years and retired again for one year. I would often say to myself, “Nadine are you going to keep working or are you going to retire.” Well, needless to say, I kept working and worked at the nursing home for 2years and quit that too. I stayed home for one year and just when I thought I was done, I started working at the Dallas County Health Unit under the Area Agency on Aging for 11 years and retired for good on January 13, 2023.

It is my desire to be remembered for the love I gave, the good and bad times, the challenges that I’ve faced, and the things I’ve overcome. I hope that I have managed my life in a way that can be used as a blueprint for you all to achieve greatness.

If I should stay, I would only be in your way, So I'll go, but I know I'll think of you every step of the way and I will always love you. Bittersweet memories that is all I'm taking with me So goodbye, please, don't cry we know I'm not what you need and I will always love you – my girls, Chawn Velvet Thrower of Bearden, Tammie Lynette Webb and her husband, Dr. David W. Webb of Las Vegas, Amanda Lee Scott and her husband, Rev. James Scott of Camden, and my beloved son, Alvis Sherman Walston of Bearden; the apples of my eye my babies, Vaneshia Thrower, Joshua Thrower,  James Scott, Jr., Danaya Webb, Markeita Morris whom I raised as my own, JaLynn Thrower, Makayla Webb, Keyana Webb, DeKerrion Kendrix, and Worth Walston; my great-grandchildren, Kendyn Manning, LaNori Charles, and Aceyn Gregory; my goddaughter, MaRyah Hall; my only living brother, Rev. Verna Thompson and my only living sister, Mildred Juniel and her husband, Elmer and my only living uncle, John Pete Thrower. Much love to my nieces, nephews, and other relatives, my Order of Eastern Star Loving Sisters Chapter #353, the GBD Women, and the Mt. Olive Baptist Church family.

I look forward to reuniting with my parents, and my siblings, James Lee Thompson, Ruthie Mae Thompson, Josie Marie Thompson, and Henry Allen Thompson.

I hope life treats you kind and I hope you have all you dream of, I wish you joy and happiness, but above all this, I wish you love. "May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace."   Numbers 6:24-26

Love always, Nadine