Freida Thompson

Freida G.P. Thompson (Gay)

Freida G. P. Thompson (Gay), 84, passed away on March 23, 2019 at the Advent Health East Hospital in Orlando, FL. Born on November 30, 1934 in Birmingham, AL, she was the youngest of four children to Kenneth A. and Freida I. (Norris) Pettiford. Gay was a dental hygienist and modeled in her younger years. She attended Samford University in Birmingham, AL, where she would meet, fall in love and marry Ben A. Thompson, Sr, in 1956. While Ben was coaching and teaching at Samford University, Gay served as one of the University's Student Resident Counselors. In 1974, Ben's career change then took them to Florida where he, along with Gay opened Ben Thompson's Office Equipment CTR, Inc. in Orlando, with Gay wearing many hats that included titles of VP, Secretary and Treasurer thru out the years.
As the business grew and became established, Gay decided timing was right to add another title to her list of abilities and growing talents by pursuing a lifelong desire to become a certified floral designer and open her own Florist Shop. She took courses that enabled both her and Ben Sr. to travel all over the US and abroad, something they both enjoyed. During this time, she was able to obtain certifications in various floral designs and was able to open her own Florist Shop, Crystal Lake Florist, which she had for several years. She was a very active member of North Park Baptist Church serving on many committees and later became a member of Delaney Street Baptist Church, she was a long-time member of the Order of the Eastern Star Mizaph Chapter #190 and volunteered thru out the community in various organizations over the years.
Gay is predeceased by her parents, Kenneth A. and Freida I. (Norris) Pettiford, her brothers, Kenneth A., Jr. and Stacey, her sister, Joy P. Walker, her loving husband of 58 years at the time of his passing on January 5, 2004, Benjamin A., Sr, her eldest son, Benjamin A., Jr and surviving three children, daughters, Terri T. Wright, Orlando, FL, Tracie T. Wang, Birdsboro, PA and son, Bart A., Orlando, FL, two grandsons, David B. Wright, Panama City Beach, FL, Steadman A. Wang, Birdsboro, PA, two nieces, Jennifer W. Horton, Altamonte Springs, FL and Kristina N. Wang, Kirkland, WA, a great grandchild, Ramsay J. Horton, Altamonte Springs, FL, several nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous lifelong friends.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of her memory of being a breast cancer survivor, the family desires any monetary gifts be made out to the American Cancer Society, 507 N New York Ave Suite 100, Winter Park, FL 32789 https://www.cancer.org/

Visitation

Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home
2811 Curry Ford Road
Orlando, FL  32806
Friday, April 5, 2019
3-6PM

Service

Graveside Service

Greenwood Cemetery
1603 Greenwood Street
Orlando, FL  32801
Saturday, April 6, 2019
10:30AM

Cemetery

Greenwood Cemetery
1603 Greenwood Street
Orlando, FL  32801

Memorial Contributions

American Cancer Society
507 N New York Ave Suite 100
Winter Park, FL  32789