Nancy Leola (Lola) Johnson Thomas (90) slipped away in the early hours of March 1, 2025. She was born on December 14, 1934, to Nancy L. and Thaddeus Johnson in Montpelier, VA.

She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Richard L. Thomas, Sr. and her sons, Richard L. Thomas, Jr. and Gibson S. Thomas. All her siblings pre-deceased her: John Johnson, Martha Giles, and Marie Patterson Valentine.

She is survived by her daughters: Cynthia Hall (Melvin) of Atlanta, GA, Dr. Shirley Copeland of Charlottesville, VA, and Sandra Graham (Rev. Don) of Richmond, VA; son, Sherman M. Thomas (Yvette) of Montpelier, VA, and daughters-in-law, Mariela Thomas of Henrico, VA and Gwendonetta Thomas of Montpelier, VA; twelve grandchildren: Melvin Hall, Mark Hall, Megan Hall, Nancy Graham, Danita Stewart, Richard Thomas III, Brian Thomas, Shawn Thomas, Japhet Thomas, Tacyana Thomas, Jonathan Thomas, and Romeo Thomas, and great-grandchildren. Also surviving her are nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and her in-laws: Dora Thomas, Linda Jones (Clay), Barbara Simpson (Edward), Rev. Sherman Thomas, John Thomas (Agnes).

Nancy's life of 90 years was filled with many professional milestones and personal accomplishments, as well as years of service to Bethany Baptist Church, Mattaponi Women's Missionary Convention, and Women's Ministry Baptist General Convention of VA, where she served as President. One of her biggest joys was attending the Baptist General Convention of VA each year. Nancy was active as a deaconess, missionary, Vacation Bible School teacher, and Sunday School teacher at Bethany Baptist Church, and always volunteering for visitation and prayer retreats and wherever she could lend a helping hand. She was the Mother of the Year once at Bethany Baptist Church. She was a lifetime member of the NAACP.

Nancy attended college at Virginia Commonwealth University when she was 32 after raising her six children and received her Bachelor's in Education in 1973 and her Master's in Education in 1980. Beginning in 1973, she taught at Henry Clay Elementary School in Ashland, VA until her retirement.

Her love of flower gardening was unlimited, and you would find her watering her plants daily all summer long. She loved red roses most of all and delighted in their beauty each spring. She also enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the family every year who feasted on her delicious meals and desserts. Her fruit cake was legendary, and she insisted on purchasing solely from one vendor to make sure all the ingredients were the freshest possible. Nancy dressed fashionably and kept her daughters busy taking her shopping for hats, shoes and outfits. She was feisty and never took "no" for an answer and her fighting spirit will be missed greatly. May Nancy Leola J. Thomas rest in eternal peace, her loving spirit forever blooming in our heart.