Mildred Thompson Bright, 81, of Morgantown, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, at Mapleshire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on Aug. 31, 1938, in Morgantown, a daughter of the late Basil Jackson and Mildred Deaner Thompson.
Mildred graduated from Morgantown High School in 1956 and went on to graduate from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education, along with serving as an active member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She also held a master’s degree as a reading specialist in Monongalia County.
Mildred was a second-grade teacher for several years in Monongalia County. She was also a reading specialist, after a short period of staying home with her two young children. In the late 70s and early 80s, she became the CEO of Thompson’s of Morgantown, a family owned business that she purchased from her mother, Mildred D. Thompson. Thompson’s Products and services included office furniture, supplies and interior design. She was honored by the West Virginia Small Business Association as the Women in Business Advocate of the Year for 1999.
She was the founder and past president of the West Virginia Alliance for Women’s Studies and worked closely with WVU officials to develop seminars for women business owners.
Mildred was a member of SBA’s District Advisory Council, the Morgantown Rotary Club, the West Virginia High Tech Consortium, NCMA, the National Association of Female Executives, the business Products Industry Association and was a founding member of West Virginia’s First National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) chapter.
She was past president of the Morgantown Chamber of Commerce, past president of Zonta International and past member of the WVU SBDC. She served on the board of directors of the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, the Barbour County Chamber of Commerce and the Foundation of Monongalia General Hospital.
Through her leadership and mentoring, Mildred has affected the lives not only of women who are already in the work world, but future generations of women as well.
She was an avid knitter, reader and animal lover. She never turned her children down to welcome any kind of pet imaginable, even if she feared said pet.
Mildred married George E. Bright on Dec. 27, 1959, and went on to raise two children, who were a very important part of her life.
She enjoyed family reunions and get-togethers with all sides of her family. She especially liked extended vacations at her mother’s winter home, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Mildred was always up for a trip to The Greenbrier in the southern part of state. The scenery and property were some of her favorite pastimes.
In 2004, she and her husband, George Bright, embarked on a special celebration trip arranged and accompanied by Patty and Bill Bright, of Summersville, George’s younger brother. The trip honored George and his twin brother John Bright’s 75th birthdays. The momentous trip was spent seeing Broadway shows, shopping, visiting museum and sharing family dinners with their spouses.
Most of her nieces and nephews would say that she was the glue that kept all of us connected throughout her years. She always remembered birthdays and anniversaries by sending a card or hand-written note. She believed that handmade gifts were meant to commemorate the best occasions in our lives.
Mildred was an Episcopalian by faith and served as a past member of Trinity Episcopal Church and St. Thomas a’ Becket Episcopal Church.
She is survived by her loving husband, George E. Bright, of Morgantown; children, Jennifer Marie Bright, of Winchester, Va., and George Thompson Bright, of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; grandchildren, Jack Wade Blazek, of Winchester, Va., and Braedon Thompson Bright, of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., both of whom she adored and cherished; brother- and sister-in-law, Bill and Patty Bright, of Summersville; sister-in-law, Betty Bright, of Roanoke, Va.; and many nieces and nephews across the country.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by half-brother, Don Rothey, from New York, N.Y.; and her adopted father, Forest Thompson.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation services will be provided by Hastings Funeral Home.
Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, at noon Sunday, Jan. 12, until the time of the memorial service at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 1299 Pineview Drive, #3, Morgantown, WV 26505; The Foundation of Mon Health Medical Center Scholarship Fund, 1200 JD Anderson Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505; or Women’s Studies, Velma Miller Scholarship #3S533, WVU Foundation, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26506.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
