LaFredia Gail Shoulders Thompson was born on Saturday, September 24, 1959, and lived a life full of grace and dignity. LaFredia was born to James Everett and Katie Mae Shoulders. While LaFredia lost her birth mother when she was a baby, she and her sister Jean were raised with love in a Christian home by their father and their "heart" mother, Gloria Butler Shoulders. She was preceded in death by all three of her parents, her sister Myrtle Jean Shoulders Williams, her grandparents, and her dear brother-in-law Jimmy Williams. LaFredia's village also included her uncle and aunt, Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Evelyn Griffith, with whom she and her son Schylar lived for a time, and both of whom also preceded her to her Heavenly Home.

LaFredia believed in praising the Lord and thanking Him for her gifts, the most precious of which was her son Schylar. She was rooted and grounded in the Word, and made sure that Schylar has a relationship with the Most High. LaFredia was a faithful church attendee, and often encouraged others to accompany her to church or Bible Study. She also attended church and revival services with her loved ones. Her faith did not simply manifest on Sunday morning or Wednesday night, however. LaFredia did not hesitate to share the Word of the Lord that she served with her loved ones, and to pray with and for them. LaFredia was blessed to find ministry and nurturing during Schylar's childhood at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church. Later, she found ministry, nourishing, and fellowship at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, and was grateful for the love and support shown by her pastor, the Reverend Charles Orr, and her Mt. Pleasant M.B. Church family.

LaFredia used her education in her job in Cytology at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, where she was employed until she became ill. She also worked more than once throughout many years at WZZA Radio. There she shared her skills in several different areas, including Radio Announcer and News Director. At the time of her passing, LaFredia was WZZA's Traffic Manager. She was also the resident listener for her teammates, offering words of wisdom, encouragement, and advice. She inspired the sales staff, had an excellent ear for music, and even had such impressive skills as a d.j., "scratching" on the station's afternoon drive show, that the owner, Bob Carl Bailey, called to find out whom he was hearing. LaFredia had a wonderful sense of humor and could often be heard laughing out loud, even when she was in the hospital. LaFredia loved going on road-trips, going to movies, and talking with her friends. She also loved attending games and cheering her son, Schylar. He gives her credit for putting the first basketball in his hand as a baby. LaFredia left us to be with the Lord, but a part of her heart remains behind in her son Schylar.

LaFredia left precious memories of time spent with her family: her son Schylar Thompson, her former husband and dear friend Harvey Thompson, a devoted friend, Minister Rosalind Thatch, sister-in-love, Sharon Williams, her nephew Jimorris Williams, her grand-nieces Cansas and Cloey Williams, her grand-nephew Jimeson, her father's wife Jeanette Shoulders, her special cousin Pamela Andrea Butler, her dear friends, her church and radio families, and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, and loved ones.