BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
TOP PHOTO: A photo from November of last year shows Sid Thompson surrounded by family during a commendation presentation at the Prattville City Council meeting.
News that Sid Thompson, of Prattville, has passed away was released by family members this morning.
Thompson retired last year from the Autauga County Commission after many years of service. She was the first woman to serve on the commission and served two terms as Vice-Chairman. She also served on the Prattville City Council and was the first woman to serve as President.
Family members released the news of her death, saying she passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by family.
Mrs. Thompson began her love of politics at a very young age, and would eventually follow that dream to work as a community servant.
In November of last year, Thompson was joined by family and friends at a Prattville City Council meeting, being recognized for her many years of service to the community she loved.
Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie bestowed honors upon Thompson at that time, who he said he had known all of his life.
Mrs. Sid Thompson received a a standing ovation by all present.
Well known as a long-time public servant in Autauga County, Thompson was joined by her family and expressed her deep appreciation, and love for her community. She said she was humbled and honored to receive the Commendation from Mayor Gillespie and the City of Prattville.
“I have known you since you were just a kid,” Thompson said to Mayor Gillespie with a hug and a smile in November.
When Thompson announced she would be retiring from the Autauga County Commission an election was held to fill her District 1 seat. That seat was won by Rusty Jacksland.
Thompson was also honored in November of last year by the Autauga County Commission.
In a release by the Commission in November, it read “On November 3rd, The Autauga County Commission honored longtime Commissioner, Sidney Alford Thompson for her dedicated years of service as a Commissioner from 2008 until 2020. Mrs. Thompson chose not to seek re-election (in 2020). She has been a mainstay in community service in Autauga County for several years, having served on the City Council from 1988 until 1996. Mrs. Thompson was also recognized for becoming the first woman to ever be elected to the Autauga County Commission and City Council President in 1992. She was elected vice-chairman of the Autauga County Commission in 2016, and served on many Chamber of Commerce Committees and community boards over the last several years.”
Senator Clyde Chambliss from the Second Congressional District and Van Smith, State Representative, District 42 also presented resolutions to Commissioner Thompson.
Mayor Gillespie shared the following information concerning Thompson’s many years of service within his official commendation:
Thompson was born in Crenshaw County and spent her childhood in Luverne, Alabama. She graduated from Luverne High School.
She was married for 64 years to her husband, Billy C. Thompson, and they have three children including Sheryl, Debra and William. They doted on their nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Mrs. Thompson began her service to the community in 1988 when she was elected councilwoman for District 4 in the City of Prattville. In 1992, she was elected Prattville’s first female City Council President, and she held that position until 1996.
On Nov 12, 2008, Mrs. Thompson was elected to the District 1 seat for the Autauga County Commission as the first female county commissioner. Eight years later, she became the Vice-Chairman for the Autauga County Commission on Nov. 16, 2016, and she served in that role for two terms.
In his commendation to Mrs. Thompson, Mayor Gillespie said, “She has always encouraged community involvement and patriotism during her career. She was instrumental in the starting of the street display of American flags on Sheila Boulevard. She has continued to be involved with many community organizations and boards while serving her constituents. The hard work and dedication over her tenure have been instrumental in our community.”
We do not have funeral service information at this time, but will share if made available.
The EAN offers our sincere condolences to her family and multitude of friends. She was passionate about community service and loving her family. While her bright light has been extinguished physically, the good works and programs she created will long be remembered in our area.
