Karen Thompson retires from Extension

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
The Franklin County Extension Office recently said goodbye to a longtime employee after she retired from the office after 31 years of service.
Karen Thompson of Russellville now has her days free to work in the house, and help her husband, Bill, out at their flower shop, Akin's Florist.
Thompson spent years teaching the public what she still refers to as adult home economics. She began working with the extension office in Clay County, but moved to Franklin County nine months later as the 4-H Agent for our county.
"For the first 15 years, I worked with kids, but I began working with adult after the position became available here in Franklin County," Thompson said.
During her years as home economist, Thompson helped people with parenting classes, money management, nutrition and health issues.
"I loved working with the people, helping them with different things," Thompson said of her time the extension office.
Although Thompson loved her job for the most part, there is one aspect she is not going to miss-the reports.
"I hated having to do all those reports for everything, but that was the only part of my job I did not enjoy," Thompson said.
Thompson's last day was March 30, and she decided to go out quietly.
"The office had a little party for me but I like to keep to myself," she said of leaving the office.
Aside from helping in the floral shop and having projects at home, Thompson is a vital member of the Franklin County Relay For Life Committee as she is the Survivorship Chairperson who oversees plans for the Survivor's Dinner held every year prior to the first lap.