Having served more than 40 years as an advocate for abused women, children and the elderly, Barb Thompson was an obvious choice for the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce when deciding who was most deserving of the honor, 2023 Citizen of the Year.
However, as she was ushered into a packed room of family, friends, colleagues and chamber members who were secretly waiting for her in a back room at the Division of Family Services, Thompson’s astonishment was obvious.
“I was completely surprised. My supervisor was visiting that day. She told me to get my notepad and go to the conference room. I thought she was there for a Christmas or end of the year meeting,” she says.
Instead, Jake Netherland, representing the chamber of commerce, came forward and announced the reason for the gathering. As the room broke into applause, Thompson was nearly overcome with emotion.
Many of those who attended the presentation expressed their opinion that the award was long overdue.
But, the honoree said, “Not at all.”
Although she has devoted an entire career to helping so many in need, Thompson sees herself as just one small part of an extensive support team that encompasses the community at large. In fact, she refers to her work as “just one small piece of the puzzle.”
Thompson credits, “There are so many people I can call on... the friendships I have made along the way with homemakers, health professionals, law enforcement... I am really grateful for all of these people. I just feel like we are all here to help each other and we all do what we can.”
The systems in place don’t always work; however, people do come through, said Thompson.
One recent example of this, “Just the other day I encountered a difficult situation and I wasn’t able to make contact with the help I needed.”
That situation somehow came to the attention of city police chief Mark Rodgers.
“I don’t even know how he knew about it, but he called me up and said, ‘If you ever need help, you don’t hesitate. Call me.’ That’s the feeling I get from people.”
Thompson, who graduated in 1982 with a degree in education, had initially planned to become a high school counselor.
But, her first job out of college was at Safe Haven, a woman’s shelter in Cape Girardeau. Those two years changed the direction of her career path.
“People from the children’s’ division would come in and speak to us about abuse cases,” she remembers.
She was moved by what she heard and saw. Therefore, when an opening came up with the Washington County Division of Family Services, Thompson applied and got the job.
It was a positive experience for her.
“I worked with some really good people, and I have some wonderful memories of that time. I was young, but I got placed with a wonderful group of ladies who became my mentors,” she says.
Her husband Mark, who was also an educator, got a job offer with Doniphan R-I, which allowed the couple to come back to their roots. Both natives of the area, she is the daughter of the late Ray and Ona Elkins.
Thompson relocated to the local DFS, where she has since served the families of Ripley County in many different facets of social work.
She started out as an eligibility specialist for the food stamps, AFDC and Medicaid programs.
She served as a caseworker for the FUTURES program, until it became part of the Department of Economic Development. Most recently she has been a champion for the elderly, through her work with the Department of Health and Senior Services.
Hers is a field where there are the inevitable highs and lows, setbacks and successes.
“There are a lot of situations that we aren’t able to correct, but when I am able to get something done that improves someone’s life, those times are what makes the job worthwhile,” she says.
When it comes to making life better for those who are dealing with unfortunate circumstances, Thompson feels hers is not a role that can function independently.
“It takes all of us working together, and each of us holds a key which is part of the solution,” she insists.
Thompson was nominated for Citizen of the Year honors by Jake Netherland.
In his letter, Netherland stated, “Barb Thompson has dedicated her career and life to bettering and improving Ripley County and its citizens.
“Barb has been with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for many years, and has changed the lives of countless Ripley County residents.
“She has so much passion and compassion for the people she works with, and [this trait] stands out not only in our county but in the state.
“In 2019 Barb was recognized at the state level as the Employee of the month.
“Barb’s co-workers tell you that it does not matter what time of the day or night it is, she will be there whenever someone needs her.
“Ripley County has been so lucky over the years to have someone like Barb representing our area, because she goes above and beyond her job title and, in doing so, made us a better county.
“If you know Barb well enough, then you also know that her passion is not just with people, but animals as well. Barb has rescued countless animals in her personal time and has either found them homes or has homed them herself (just ask her husband!)
“She cares so much for them, and if you have ever helped her care for them, (which I have), you would see how much thought and time she puts into making them feel loved and comfortable.
“Barb is the kind of person that if everyone strived to be like, this world would truly be a better place.”