She was born in Jefferson City to Mason Gordon and Mary Elizabeth Williams. Her father survives in Los Angeles, California. She was married in 1996 in Jefferson City to Wilford Charles Thompson, II, who survives. Other survivors include one son, Wilford C. "Trey" Thompson, III, Columbia; and one brother, Donald Darrell Williams, Chicago. She was preceded in death by one brother, Chris Jerome Williams. She was a housekeeper and child care provider. She was a member of Faith Walk Ministries, Paris. Memorials are suggested to the Brenda Kaye Thompson Memorial Fund. She was a graduate of Lincoln Lab School and attended Lincoln University where she was a member of Lincoln University Stagecrafters.