Connally ISD employee, mother of 4, dies after contracting COVID-19

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - The Connally Independent School District announced Angela Thompson, an instructional aide at the Connally Primary Campus, died Tuesday afternoon after a long battle with COVID-19.

“My mom and Angie were like sisters,” family friend, Ebony Brooks said.

“My mom babysat her when she was younger, then she babysat us, and we babysat her kids. There was never a dull moment. When Angie was around, you were laughing. She has the most infectious smile, loved her kids.”

The district said Thompson was tested for the virus after she identified COVID-like symptoms upon returning from her summer break. Thompson was entering her third year as an employee of Connally ISD and was last on campus on August 9, 2021, a week-and-a-half before the first day of school, the district said.

“She has long been a beloved member of the Connally family as her spouse is a Connally employee and all four of her children are Connally ISD graduates,” the school district said, “We extend our sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to her family, students and friends.”

Brooks said to keep the family in your prayers.

“The biggest challenge is her kids being able to move forward not being able to have their mom,” Brooks said.

The family is honoring Thompson Wednesday with a balloon release on what would have been her 33rd birthday.

Thompson is the third district employee to die after contracting the virus. Natalia Chansler, 41, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Connally Junior High School; and David “Andy” McCormick, 49, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Connally Junior High School, both died in August.

“With the loss of a third team member, we know that concerns for physical and mental health are heightened. We want to assure you that we remain focused on measures to take care of our students and staff,” the district further said.

“We are asking staff, parents and the community for their help to become a united front in this fight against Covid-19.”

The school district continues to work closely with the McLennan County Health Department to monitor Covid-19 rates among staff and students. It has scheduled an additional vaccination clinic for October 11th, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm in the Connally High School commons area for staff, parents and the community.

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