Myra Singleton Thompson

People

Myra Singleton Thompson

Outcome

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Myra Singleton Thompson (1955 – June 17, 2015) was a devoted educator, Bible study teacher, and head of the trustee board at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church who was assassinated along with eight other congregants during a Wednesday night Bible study session by white supremacist Dylann Roof. At 59 years old, Thompson had been leading Bible study for the first time that evening after weeks of careful preparation. She had been re-licensed to preach just hours before the attack. The lesson she prepared was Mark 4—a parable told by Jesus about a farmer who scatters seed that falls in many places. Myra Thompson's early life was marked by hardship. With two less-than-present parents, she and her siblings were separated among relatives, an orphanage, and foster families. Myra was eventually placed in the permanent care of a neighboring family, the Coakleys. Despite these challenging beginnings, she went on to earn a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees, driven by her love of learning. Thompson devoted her career to education, working as an English teacher and guidance counselor in local public schools. During the 1980s and 1990s, she taught at Brentwood Middle School—now called Meeting Street Elementary School at Brentwood—in North Charleston. In 1994, she earned her Master of Education in Reading Education from The Citadel Graduate College. Her passion for teaching was matched by her dedication to her students, particularly those who faced difficulties. At one of the worst schools in South Carolina, where students would curse and disrespect teachers, Thompson won the respect of her students by going to their homes and getting their parents involved. When she later earned a master's degree in counseling, the school had to hire a second counselor because so many students sought her guidance. Thompson grew up attending Emanuel AME Church and remained devoted to it throughout her life. She served as head of the church's trustee board. By 2015, she had overseen Lent services and began moving toward ordained ministry, delivering her trial sermon during the Christmas season of 2014. On the day of her death, she was re-licensed to preach. On June 17, 2015, Thompson led Bible study for the first time—a lesson she had carefully and thoughtfully prepared over several weeks. When Dylann Roof opened fire during the closing prayer, Thompson was among the nine killed. She left behind three children, 11 brothers, three sisters, a large extended family, and her husband, Reverend Anthony Thompson. Her husband, Rev. Anthony Thompson, publicly forgave Roof at his bond hearing. In 2019, he published "Called to Forgive: The Charleston Church Shooting, a Victim's Husband, and the Path to Healing and Peace," sharing his journey toward forgiveness and healing.