Minnie Ammons Thompson

Minnie Ammons Thompson, born August 2, 1948, passed into eternal life July 21, 2017. She was the oldest child born to James and Cora Ammons, in Evergreen, Alabama. November 28, 1971, Minnie married Morris Thompson and to this union were born three (3) sons, in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1980, they moved to Little Rock, Ark., where, to this day they continue in residence. In 1984 she read an advertisement for women in non-traditional jobs in the construction field. She read about AP&L (Entergy) Company's electrician training program and said, "I thought this is something I'd like to do. This was something I could get training in, and it would offer stability". She completed the training and became one of the first Black female industrial electricians rising to the journeyman level there. In 1995 Minnie and a co-worker left Entergy to launch their own electrical contracting business, B&T Electric, which was the first of its kind with a Black female electrician as an owner. As a full-service electrical contractor B&T offered service in the areas of industrial, commercial and residential projects. Their expertise and professionalism became well known throughout Arkansas to the extent numerous national contracts came their way. They were actively sought after on projects due to their skill at diagnosing & troubleshooting which allowed them to become well known for fixing problems preserving the integrity of the original structure. In 2009, Minnie launched her own entrepreneurial venture, forming Alpha Omega Electric, continuing to build on her reputation for prompt, dependable, and professional service. Due to her high standards of operation, additional projects across the country came her way. Electrical services was not just a way to make a living - it was a way of life for her. Many times, if she detected a customer was of limited means, she would do the work without charge, particularly if an elderly customer or a working single mother with small children in the home. She was known and admired for her fun loving and generous spirit expressed by the extent she would go to make young people feel loved and special. It was a large part of her giving personality. Like the time she showed up at her children's elementary school handing out candy eggs dressed as the Easter bunny. Or the time she made scarecrow costumes for herself and her two younger sons and went trick or treating with the children in the neighborhood. She was small in stature but physically very strong. She delighted in surprising the guys on her sons' football team by lifting them off their feet. As a couple, their love and compassion for children expanded well beyond their household to children in their extended family and neighborhood. Surviving her is her husband of forty-six years, Morris Thompson of Little Rock, Arkansas; mother, Cora Ammons of Little Rock, Arkansas; her children, and her delights, her grandchildren, Nehemiah, Axton, Jordan, Dana, Jr., and Azana; brothers, nieces, nephews and many other young people she reached who form her large, extended family. The funeral will be held: Saturday, July 29, 2017, 2 p.m., at First Baptist Highland Park Church, 1701 South Pine St., Little Rock, Ark. 72204. Interment will follow at Elmlawn Cemetery. Family visitation: Friday, July 28, 2017, 6-7 pm, at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester Street, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 372-1305. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to: Dorcas House, 823 S. Park Street Little Rock, Ark. 72202.