Sue Myrick: “Ms. Evelena Thompson retires from the United States court system, probation office, in Charlotte, on June 30 of this…”

“Ms. Evelena Thompson retires from the United States court system, probation office, in Charlotte, on June 30 of this year after 27 years of service. She was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina; grew up in Scotland County, North Carolina; graduated salutatorian of her class in 1964; and graduated from Barber Scotia College in 1968. She started with the U.S. probation office, again in Charlotte, in 1975 as a clerk, and she rose to the position of supervising U.S. probation officer in 1991, a true success story. After the tragic death of her son in 1992 by a drunk driver, she became very active in the organization of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and she received the 1994 Citizens Activist Award presented by the National Commission Against Drunk Driving. A devout Christian, Ms. Thompson served with her late husband, himself a pastor, in the West Central Conference of the AME's Zion Church. Whether through her work as a U.S. probation officer or the many civic duties that she performed, Evelena has always exhibited those very treasured American characteristics of integrity, dedication, devotion, and perseverance.”