The nine people slain at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church last week included a former Livingstone College student, Myra Singleton Thompson.

Thompson, 59, was an active member of the church and Bible study leader.

Dr. Jimmy Jenkins, president, said the Livingstone College family expressed its sympathy over the devastating loss of life at the Charleston church and was particularly saddened by Thompson’s death.

“One of her former classmates, with whom she participated in the Livingstone College Marching Band, has called upon all Livingstonians to be in prayer for Mrs. Thompson and her family,” Jenkins said.

“We join the nation in a period of mourning and pledge to lift in prayer the families and members of Emanuel, as well as the citizens of Charleston, as they and we seek to cope with the horrendous disregard for human life.”

According to The Post and Courier in Charleston, Thompson had been a teacher in the Charleston County School District and decided more than a year ago to join the ministry.

“Thompson received her license to the ministry Wednesday night,” the newspaper reported. “A short time later she was dead, gunned down by a young man who she and her friends had welcomed into their house of faith.”

Her son, Kevin Singleton, 40, is a magazine publisher in Charlotte.

Jenkins’ statement concluded:

“We constantly remind our students here at Livingstone that life and the blessings God affords us daily are not to be taken for granted. While that may be of little solace at this time, please remember that God sees all and knows all. Likewise, please know He will help us pick up the pieces from this unspeakable act and move forward. We at Livingstone College will stand in support of Emanuel AME Church, the Thompson family, the other families who lost loved ones and the citizens of Charleston as long as it takes.”

 

Sincerely,

 

Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., Ph.D.

President

Livingstone College