The Monday prior to Celeste’s death, she was leading a monthly teen girls group. At this meeting Celeste challenged the girls to find their purpose in life and work towards that purpose with passion.

She emphasized the importance of living for Christ and she confidentially proclaimed to the girls, “When I see Jesus I know He will say to me, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant’.”

Her words not only serve as an inspiration to the girls in her group, but they should also inspire us to live a life that will make our Father in Heaven proud.

On Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. a section of the Cleveland County Greenway was dedicated to a young woman named Celeste Thompson, a vibrant individual who was joyful about living her life for the glory of her Savior Jesus Christ.

Celeste was born on Sept. 5, 1981, in Vero Beach, Fla.

In 2004 Celeste received her bachelor’s degree in history from Lee. She went on to get her master’s degree in education from Lee in 2005. After graduating, Celeste accepted a job as a Media Specialist at Polk City Elementary School in Florida.

On Oct. 20, 2006, she was traveling home from a charity cake auction held at Polk City Elementary School when a young driver hit Celeste’s car, causing her instantaneous death. Although Celeste lived only 25 years before she was taken to be with the Lord, those years were full of purpose and distinctly marked by her compassion for others.

Each of the individuals present at the ceremony confirmed the fact that Thompson loved helping others, especially children.

After Celeste graduated from Winter Haven High School she began working with Master’s Commission, a ministry that provided her with the opportunity to pack her bags and move to Atlanta to live in a government supported housing project, where she could practically demonstrate the love of God to those in need.

At age 18 Celeste dedicated herself to this full time ministry. Through her work with Master’s Commission she led Bible studies, helped teenage mothers find financial aid and assisted in the development of an Atlanta based start-up church of Richmond Oaks Church of God.

Celeste’s passion for the Lord enabled her to impact the lives of children, teens, the homeless, alcoholics, prostitutes and the uneducated.

She committed herself to teaching others how to find their purpose in God.

Through her urban missionary work with Master’s Commission Thompson met Pastor Tony Johns who is currently serving at the Mission Church in Atlanta.

Johns opened the ceremony with these moving words about Thompson: “I remember today her gentleness and joy. She lived a life worthy of honor and there was a dignity about her; she never wavered in her compassion.”

Celeste’s brother, Steven, also spoke at the dedication. He shared some his top 10 memories of his sister. Steven smiled as he spoke of how much he loved her laugh, how she always paid for his meals whenever they got together and the fact that she could have a spiritual conversation with anyone.

Celeste’s stepfather Bill Knepper closed out the ceremony by commemorating Celeste’s unwavering faith and playing the song “Only You.”

This song was written by Celeste as a letter to God. Once Bill found the letter stuck between the pages of her Bible, he and his wife Venisha Knepper, had their friend Alberto Bent, a worship leader at First Baptist Church in Saint Petersburg, Fla., create and sing the song.

The chorus reads: “Because I don’t want to look back Lord and not see you/I don’t want to live if you are not with me/I don’t want to love if I can’t love you/Jesus you’re the light I need/My hearts desire is only you.”

The chorus of the song was said to echo the heart of Celeste Thompson.

Johns said in the opening, “We have to celebrate her life and love. The type of love the father has for his creation. She embraced life and loved everyone.”

Even though we may not have been given the opportunity to know Celeste, we can get to know her legacy and let it inspire us to live purpose driven lives.

Celeste is an alumna to be remembered. She has been one of the many alumni who have helped to set the bar high for Lee students. Let us embrace her memory and celebrate her life.

The memorial includes a plaque with Celeste’s picture and a inspiring inscription about her life. On both sides of the plaque there are two benches dedicated to Celeste. The bench on left was given by Venisha and the right by Steven.

Sitting on one of the benches, one will see the trickling water of Mouse Creek and hear a peaceful wind chime blowing in the wind.

It is the hope of Bill and Venisha that people will walk away inspired to find God’s purpose for their lives and that they will seek to live out that purpose with a passion.