Laura Ardella Thomas

Laura Ardella Thomas began her beautiful life’s journey on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 1947, to the union of Emanuel and Ella Lee Gregory in Kansas City, Kansas. She was the first of four children born to this union.

Laura aka, Momma T, Lor, Sista Thomas, Ellie, Laurrra (with a southern touch), Auntie, Cousin Laura, Mrs. Laura, Grandma, and Momma were her loving nicknames heard throughout her faithful walk. Storytelling was her love language and she delivered within the spirit of God's grace. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school, traveling, serving through missionary work, loving family, cooking, shopping, thrifting, and sharing her life experiences while showing off her memory of events, birthdays, and phone numbers.

Laura truly loved God and as a child attended Calvary Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas. She also attended Wyandotte County Public Schools and graduated from Sumner High School in 1965.

Laura was introduced to Liddell Thomas, Sr. by a friend in 1971, while working at Amoco Oil Company in Kansas City, Kansas. On March 25, 1972, Laura and Liddell became one flesh union at Calvary Baptist Church. He was the love of her life and soulmate. To this loving union Liddell Jr. and Lori Annette were born. Shortly after Liddell Jr was born, Laura and Liddell started attending and later joined Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, where they both served faithfully as Deacon and Deaconess under the leadership of the late Rev. O.L. Sr. and First Lady Minnie Cobbins. Her treasured extension of family.

Laura and Liddell Sr. were both working for Amoco when they were relocated to Des Moines, Iowa when the company announced it was moving to the city in 1988. In 1989, the family joined Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Alex Sr. and the late First Lady Vera Crawford. After the passing of her husband Liddell Sr in 2009, Laura started attending and later joined First Assembly of God church, under the leadership of Pastor Dave Beroth. Later renamed Reach Church under Pastor Cullen Allen. Faithfulness, selflessness and dedication to God’s plan, was her path to the promised land.

Laura diligently served God and previously served on the usher board, taught bible study, raised her angelic voice singing in mass choirs, gave her gentle helping hands doing her mission work and continued volunteering at her church’s food pantry for several years. Her affectionate smile greeted everyone she encountered and her spirit illuminated any room she stepped into. Laura received a certificate of recognition from the Iowa House of Representatives for her exemplary work in the community.

On Monday, March 16, 2026, while at Mercy One Hospital, God called Laura’s name to come home. She was surrounded by her loving family and heaven's angelic light shined over her, allowing peace to be still while she entered heaven's gates. Her unconditional love, benevolent spirit, and legacy remains forever.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Liddell Sr.; her father and mother, Emanuel Sr and Ella Lee Thomas; father-in-love and mother-in-love, Norman Sr and Clister Mae Thomas; brothers, Emanuel (Joyce) Gregory, Emanuel Jones, and Joseph Gregory; sister, Dorothy Byrd; brothers-in-love, Norman Thomas Jr, Louis Thomas, and Marshall Thomas Sr; and sisters-in-love, Kathleen Thomas, Genetta Thomas, Sharon Thomas Rodgers and Lola Thomas.

Laura leaves to cherish her loving memory, son, Liddell Thomas, Jr. of Kansas City, MO; daughter, Lori Thomas of Des Moines, IA; brother, Emanuel Gregory of Kansas City, KS; sisters-in-love, Elizabeth Horn of Florissant, MO, Pamela Thomas of Olive Branch, MS, Priscilla (Jerry) Brunson of Byhalia, MS, Peggy Thomas and Norma Thomas both of Memphis, TN; brothers-in-love, Dewey Byrd of Kansas City, KS, Dennis Sr (Shirley) Thomas of Fort Wayne, IN, and Russell (Barbara) Thomas of Horn Lake, MS; her beloved and adored granddaughters, LeAsia and Lauryn Williams of Des Moines, IA and Mia Thomas of Kansas City, MO; Aunt Elsie Thomas of Cleveland, OH; and nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Laura will be missed by all who encountered her loving spirit.

Print