Beverly A. Thompkins (Lansing-Albion)

Beverly (Bev) Ann Thompkins departed this life on Thursday October 31, 2024, while residing in Memory Care at Grandhaven Living Center in Lansing, Michigan. She was born on Monday, November 4, 1946, in Ypsilanti, Michigan to George and Marion Thompkins. She was the second oldest of four children born to this union. 

Bev attended Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Commerce High School, then going on to Wayne State University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. 

Bev’s professional career began at Ford Motor Company where she was one of the first women, and the first African American woman, to work at the Ford Motor Tractor plant. While living and working in the Detroit area, she became a Jehovah Witness and moved to Albion, Michigan to become a Pioneer, volunteering her time to preach, and teach the bible to others, impacting the lives of hundreds of people. Bev was a Pioneer for over 40 years and was a loyal friend and mentor to many.

Later in life, Bev was a substitute teacher for the Albion and Marshall School Districts. Bev was affectionally called “Sarge” by some friends due to her admirable qualities of being organized, structured, disciplined, and timely. Bev resided in Albion, Michigan until she could no longer safely live independently, at which time she moved to Lansing, Michigan to live with her sister, Toni and brother-in-law, Thaddeus.

Bev is survived by her sisters, Billie Jean (Gardner Sr.) Edwards, Toni (Thaddeus) Townsel; sister-in-law, Gail Thompkins; nieces, Karla (Harold) Stratton, Tonya (Hakim) Berry, Angela (Charles) Rease, Mia Townsel; nephew, Gardner Jr. (Leslea) Edwards; great niece, Addison Berry; great nephews, Ethan Berry and Maxxwell Ghebre; many cousins, other relatives, and many loyal friends including special friends, namely Marcella Knapp, Brenda Cady and Dawn Leightner, who provided such loving care, support, and help to our family during her early and late stages of her Alzheimer’s disease.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents, George and Marion Thompkins and brother, George Thompkins Jr.