Obituary of Lauretta Ella Thomas

Funeral Services for Lauretta Ella Thomas of Moscow Mills, MO, formerly of Winfield, MO will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at St. Paul United Church of Christ near Old Monroe, MO. Pastor Jim Oleson, church pastor, and Pastor Susan Shumway, former church interim pastor, will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Jeff Thomas, Tara Kelly, Allen Hyde, Cory Hyde, Cody Hyde, Noah Thomas and Brandon Fields. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Courtney Fields, Wyatt Walkenhorst, Arlee Fields, Kadee Fields, Billy Kelly and Ricky Meier. Lauretta, 50, passed away late Sunday afternoon, June 21, 2026 at her home. Born May 9, 1976 in Troy, MO, she was the daughter of Joyce Elaine Meier Thomas. Lauretta was a 1994 graduate of Winfield High School. A highlight of Lauretta’s life was attending Camp Mo-Val, which she looked forward to each year. She participated in Special Olympics and volunteered at WinCo for many years. Lauretta worked as a door greeter for Walmart. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul United Church of Christ. Lauretta was preceded in death by her mother, Joyce Thomas; her grandparents, Helen and Hoppy Meier; and her uncle, John Drown. Survivors include her brother, Jeff Thomas and his wife, Mandy, of Winfield; cousin, who she loved like a sister, Tara Kelly and her husband, Billy, of Moscow Mills; two aunts: Linda Meier of Winfield and Janet Drown of Moscow Mills; uncle, Ricky Meier of Winfield; other relatives and her church family which was the center of her life. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, and again from 12:00 noon until the time of Funeral Services at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at church. Please wear pink, Lauretta’s signature color. Memorials may be made to St. Paul UCC (or) American Diabetes Association in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.