Laura Foster Thomas

Laura F. Foster, “Larkie”, was born on August 6, 1931, to Herman Moreland Foster and Laura John Evans Foster in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the youngest of three children, (Herman Moreland, Jr., and Cora Mae).

Laura excelled academically and was valedictorian of Dillard High School. She loved sports and extracurricular activities throughout her school years and college. She was a member of the drama club, basketball teams in high school and college, a majorette, and a cheerleader but her first love was music. At age 12 she sang on a Sunday morning radio show and later was a member of a quartet. She was offered a recording contract but turned it down to attend Hampton Institute in September 1949 where she continued to thrive. She was the Women’s Table Tennis Champion for (2) years, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, a member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and included in Who’s Who for American Colleges and Universities.

In 1951, on the campus of Hampton Institute, she met her future husband William H. Thomas, Jr. and their friendship turned into a love that lasted for 72 years. She graduated from Hampton in 1953 with a B.S. degree in accounting. Her various careers included teaching, coaching, and working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Laura symbolized her dedication to Jehovah on September 1, 1974, and became a member of the Chillum congregation where she continued to zealously preach and teach about Jehovah and his kingdom. She loved participating in all forms of the ministry, but her favorite was the street ministry. Her love for Jehovah led to her making multiple stands for her faith which served as a witness and an example to her family. No matter the circumstances, she would say “You can’t go wrong if you do it Jehovah’s way”. She always put Jehovah first which led to her introducing her family to the truth and happily attending the baptism of her daughter, both of her grandchildren and her son-in-law.

Laura was a kind person with a huge heart and always had encouraging words to share. It gave her such joy to give to family, friends, and others.

She is and will always be missed but will live on in our hearts and minds.

She is survived by her husband: William H. Thomas Jr., her daughter Lisa Thomas Newman, her grandchildren Jason Wm. Clindinin and Laura H. Clindinin and various nieces, and cousins.