“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others’?” was once asked by Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther. King, Jr. The late Mr. Johnnie Thompson answered this question fervently and sincerely, demonstrated by his earthly deeds, “Service to my fellow man.” Anyone who really knew Johnnie Thompson would know that he gave his life serving his family, the city of Walterboro, Colleton County, the state of South Carolina, and the United States of America. Indeed, he was a “Voice for the People” whom he served. He was educated in the public schools of Colleton County, and upon graduation he joined the United States Army. He was a distinguished Army Armored Tank Platoon Sergeant and a Korean War Veteran. Mr. Thompson further received the Korean Presidential Citation, a Bronze Star, and the United States Army Commendation for his services.
Mr. Thompson was a huge advocate for education. He earned an Associate Degree in Public Services and Criminal Justice from Palmer College. Upon returning home from the military, he proceeded to dedicate his life to family, church, and the city of Walterboro. He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Walterboro and served until his health disabled his presence. However, Mr. Thompson was most known for his dedicated and untiring service on the Walterboro City Council, where he served for 28 years, from 1979 to 2007. He made tremendous contributions to make life better for the citizens of Walterboro. He also served on the Walterboro-Colleton Airport Commission during this time. From 1991 until 1995, he further served as Mayor Pro Tem of Walterboro, being the first African American to serve in that position.
Continuing his military involvement, Mr. Thompson was a charter member and president of the Hiram E. Mann Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated, which honors the accomplishments of African Americans who participated in air crew, ground crew, and operations supporting training in the Army Corps during World War II. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Tuskegee Airmen Monument, located at the Lowcountry Regional Airport. The original monument was accidentally destroyed; however, a new one has been built. The monument was rededicated in a special ceremony on Saturday, October 14, 2023, just three days after Mr. Thompson peacefully transitioned into the presence of God, on October 11, 2023. However, members of his family were present for the rededication. The Honorable James Clyburn was the keynote speaker for this occasion. He said that Mr. Thompson came to him with his vision about establishing a chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen in Walterboro. Rep. Clyburn said that if there were a mascot to be named for Johnnie Thompson, it would be “Pit bull” because he didn’t give up when he wanted something done!
Mr. Thompson’s desire and passion was “to serve the people of Walterboro and to make this city a better place to live.” In December 2012 he was bestowed the first Citizen of the Year Award to honor his many contributions to the city of Walterboro. He was presented a red rocker, the city’s symbol of hospitality, by Mayor Bill Young at the city’s Christmas reception. At that special presentation, Mayor Young commented, “Johnnie has worked tirelessly to improve our community. Walterboro is a better place because of his contributions.” In addition, Mr. Thompson was active in numerous other community organizations, such as the Political Action
Organization, The American Legion, the Walterboro Shrine Club of Arabian Temple #139 where he was Honorary Past Potentate, Sunlight Lodge #221 in Walterboro, and Mount Olive Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee. Among his many honors, he also received the 2002 Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Award. The South Carolina General Assembly adopted House Resolution 4132, honoring and commending Johnnie Thompson for his service and commitment to those he served, on June 16, 2009. When the Hiram Mann Chapter of The Tuskegee Airmen sponsored its 14th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet in 2013, I, Anna Stevens Bright, created and designed the souvenir journal for this occasion. Mr. Thompson was the vice president and chairman of the program committee. I had the opportunity to talk with him one-on-one about his service and dedication to this organization. He shared with me his own words, written in February 2005, “Tuskegee Airmen Monument Recollection of the Beginning,” and he asked me to include them in the souvenir journal; consequently, I did just as he requested. Here are his memorable words:
“One Sunday afternoon in 1993, the Honorable Floyd Buckner and I, after attending church services at my church, Mr. Olive Baptist Church on Savage Street here in Walterboro, decided to go out to the then Colleton County Airport to witness an air show. We heard that the Valiant Air Command of Titusville, Florida was sponsoring this show with old World War II vintage aircraft. Further, we heard that some of the members were original Tuskegee Airmen who took their combat training here in Walterboro. We were very excited to meet them. Upon our arrival, we discovered that even though they did have members of the Tuskegee Airmen in the Valiant Air Command, none came along for this air show. However, the gentleman who was running the Walterboro-Colleton County Airport, Mr. Lloyd Vickery, also known as “Airport Daddy,” produced a letter he had received from an original Tuskegee Airman by the name of Colonel Hiram E. Mann. He allowed us to make a copy of the letter.
“I could hardly wait until the next day, Monday, to call Col. Mann. He agreed to come to Walterboro to meet with us. Hastily, we put together a dinner meeting. I took him on a tour of Walterboro, and the only thing he remembered was the water tower. Anyway, he agreed to come back the next year, 1994, and be our parade marshal for the Martin Luther King Parade. We put on one of the biggest parades we ever had that included the Marine Corps Band, a marching platoon from the National Guard, and a Bradley tank. We put Colonel Mann in a Humvee. Further, we had the State Lieutenant Governor Nick Theodore and many other high ranking dignitaries to participate. The word got out that we brought the Tuskegee Airmen back to Walterboro; thus the vision for the Monument, and the rest is history.
“We unveiled the monument in 1997 with an estimated attendance of 3000. We had about 19 original Airmen, and each received the Order of the Palmetto [The State of South Carolina’s Highest Civilian Award] from Governor David Beasley. I received correspondence from as far away as London, England.”
Walterboro, Colleton, and South Carolina humbly say, “Farewell,” to a Voice for the People. Left to carry on Mr. Johnnie Thompson’s legacy are his beloved wife, Mrs. Thelma Clemons Thompson; three children, seven grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. He was 93-years-old. His Celebration of Life service was held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church on October 18, 2023. Participants on the program included Pastor Ja’Don Buckner, Deacon Bobby Ruger, Rev. Evon Robinson, a niece who spoke on behalf of the family, and Reverend Tony Williams, the eulogist. The interment was at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina. Stephens Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. (Some excerpts from this article were taken from Mr. Thompson’s obituary and “House Resolution 4132.”)
