Helen Thomas was born on November 7, 1945, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. She was the fourth child and second daughter of seven children born to the late Katie Rainey and the late James McLaughlin Sr.

She confessed her love for Christ at an early age and was a faithful member and Minister at Breath of Life Christian Center (BOLCC) under the leadership of Founders Apostle Sammie and Dr. Addie Holloway. When it was Helen’s time to manifest God’s goodness through His Word, Helen proclaimed it with boldness. She was the epitome of servanthood. Helen served as the Auxiliary Lead Support for the Baptism Ministry, Captain's Ministry, and the Personal Ministers of BOLCC. She radiated love and compassion and was an anointed prayer warrior. Helen was fervent, full of God’s power and strength, and has truly left an indelible mark on our lives.

Helen attended and graduated from Coahoma Agricultural High School and Alcorn State University. Following her graduation from Alcorn State at the age of nineteen, she briefly accepted a teaching position at a business college in Detroit, Michigan. After her time in Detroit, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and started a career at the Social Security Administration as a Claims Specialist where she retired after over thirty years. Driven by much determination, Helen later became a successful and highly respected real estate agent, investor, and property manager. She united in holy matrimony to Lewis Thomas Jr. on August 28, 1965. To this union, two children were born. She made her honorable transition to be with the Lord on March 26, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital.

She leaves to enjoy precious memories of her life and legacy, her sons, Karluss Thomas (Tanya) of Centreville, Virginia, and Donald Thomas (Izumi) of Tokyo, Japan; her cherished grandchildren, Jewel Thomas, Jordan Thomas, and Aya Thomas; siblings, Ronald McLaughlin and Lucius McLaughlin; sisters-in-law, several nieces & nephews, and her loving church family. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Milton, Eugene, and James McLaughlin Jr.; and sister, Delores Barnes.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 9:55am-10:55am with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00am both will be held at Breathe of Life Christian Center, 3795 Frayser-Raleigh Rd, Memphis, TN 38128

Internment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119