Ms. Valjeanne Thompson

Ms. Valjeanne Thompson of Talladega, Alabama was born Valjeanne Jeffers on September 24, 1959 in Tuskegee, Alabama to the late Dr. Lance Jeffers, Sr. and Dr. Trellie Jeffers. Valjeanne was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church. After completing her formal education at Hillside High School in Durham, NC, she went on to study at Spelman College earning a bachelor's degree in psychology and continued her studies at North Carolina Central University earning her Master's degree in Psychology. She was a certified mental health professional for many years, but her heart belonged to the Arts, specifically Science Fiction. Valjeanne was an avid speculative fiction and screenwriter and lover of all things literary. She wrote under the name Valjeanne Jeffers and created an impressive body of work which included the Immortal, and Mona Livelong: Paranormal Detective series. Her work was included in the 2018 Bram Stoker Award-Nominated Sycorax's Daughters. She was the most famous woman in the Steamfunk and Cyberfunk genres, which married Afrofuturism and Steampunk / Cyberpunk respectively. Valjeanne is the author of 10 books. Valjeanne also served as co-editor for some fiction anthrologies. She is also known for her poetry which has been published in Relvelry 2006, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South 2007, and Drumvoices Revue Volumes 15 and 16. Valjeanne was a semifinalist in 2007 for the Rita Dove Poetry Award. Some of her poetry and fiction appeared in Pembroke Magazine Volume 39. Her writing has also been published in Griots: A Sword and Soul Anthrology of Black Science Fiction, Liberated Muse I: How I Freed My Soul, PurpleMag numbers 7, 8, and 9, LuneWing and Specular. Valjeanne was a member of the Carolina African American Writer's Collective and the Horror Writers Association. Valjeanne enjoyed watching Harry Potter with her daughter, relaxing on her front porch, having coffee, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Writing and being active in the Science Fiction writing community also gave her a great deal of joy. Not only was she an epic writer, but she was also an incredible artist. She will truly be missed by all the hearts she has touched and lives she has encounter though the passion of her novels and poetry. After an extended illness, Ms. Thompson completed her exuberant life journey was on Monday, July 18, 2022 when she peacefully transitioned from labor to eternal rest while surrounded by loved ones under the care of Brookwood Citizen's Baptist Medical Center. Preceding her in death were her father, Lance Jeffers, Sr., sister, Sidonie Jeffers, and her best friend/beloved dog "Cesar Thompson" who passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2022. Ms. Thompson's loving memories will forever live on and be cherished by her loving and devoted daughter, Gabrielle (Billy) Morris; sons, Toussaint (Kyla) Thompson and Mikail Thompson; beloved mother; Dr. Trellie Jeffers; brother, Lance Jeffers, Jr.; sister, Honoree Jeffers; grandchildren, Kody Thompson, Kyle Thompson, Logan Morris and Ramsey Morris; her pet cat, Cleopatra "Cleo"; special friend; Mr. Quinton Veal; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Ms. Thompson will always be remembered through her love for writing and her poetry.

Tributes

Ms. Valjeanne Thompson

September 24, 1959 - July 18, 2022