"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me 
that you also may be where I am." - John 14:3 

It is with earthly sorrow we announce the passing of Mother Laura Mae Stephens Thompson, 80, of Tallahassee, Florida, who transitioned from this earthly life into life eternal on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Viewing-visitation will be 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the TILLMAN OF TALLAHASSEE CHAPEL (850-942-1950). 

A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 6127 Proctor Road, Tallahassee, FL 32309, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. 

All resolutions may be submitted to: tillmanfh1931@gmail.com.

Celebrating the Life of Our Beloved
Mother Laura Mae Stephens Thompson

Mother Laura Mae Stephens Thompson was born on October 18, 1945 to the late Deacon Moses Stephens, Sr. and the late Mother Ruth Ann Stephens. She was the first born of twelve siblings. She attended public school in Leon County where she graduated from Lincoln High School, “Home of the Fighting Tigers” in 1965. She attended Lively Vocational Tech School where she received her license in Cosmetology.  She began her career in Cosmetology working with the late Mrs. Sarah Walker at Walker’s Beauty Salon on Liberty Street in Tallahassee, FL. She later moved to Audrey’s Boutique and then opened her own salon, Laura’s Beauty Salon, near FAMU’s campus. While cosmetology was her passion, she also enjoyed baking, cooking, fishing, and gardening.

Laura accepted Christ at an early age and joined Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she served in the Home Mission, on the Mothers Board, Senior Choir, Usher Board, and the United Sons and Daughters of Joshua Lodge.

Mother Thompson was joined in Holy Matrimony to the late Rev. Leroy Thompson, Jr. on January 4, 1969. To this union, five children were born; four daughters and one son. She joined her husband in ministry serving at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church for two years. In 1971, Rev. Thompson was called to pastor Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Moultrie, Georgia, where Mother Thompson served as First Lady for thirty years. She also served in the Feed the Hungry Program, Home Mission, on the Mothers Board, Red Circle, and the Women’s Auxiliary. Rev. Thompson was later called to pastor Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Camilla, Georgia, where Mother Thompson served as the First Lady of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church for twenty-two years.

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, the matriarch earned her heavenly wings. She is survived by four daughters: Althea, Renea, Wendy (Will), and Elaine (Lorenzen); one son: Leonard, all of Tallahassee, FL.; seven grandchildren: Corez (Jazzmin), Christopher, Victor (Jasmine), Brianna, Atticus, Sharlise, and Kadence; eight great-grandchildren: Kiydon, Kavion, Kamai, Lyriq, Harmony, Haven, Nyla, and Amia; one godson: Christopher Stephens; three sisters: Dorthy Robinson, Greta Campbell, and Patricia Parker all of Tallahassee, FL; five brothers Theodore (Gwen) Stephens, Moses (Leola) Stephens, Jr., Joshua Stephens, Lester Stephens and Floyd (Sharon) Stephens all of Tallahassee, FL; two brother-in-law’s: Cleo Thompson, Wooster, OH, Walter Thompson, Detroit, MI, and John Thompson TX; three sister-in-law’s: Mary Alice Murphy and Doretha Moore, Palm Bay, FL, Frankie Stephens, Tallahassee, FL and a host of relative and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Moses, Sr. and Ruth Ann Wilson Stephens; siblings: Reverend Arthur Stephens, Sr., Lois Williams, and Josephine Stephens; niece and nephew: Angela Stephens and Carlos Stephens; sister-in-law: LaVerne Stephens; brothers-in-law: Reverend Eddie Robinson, Alonzo Williams, Gary Campbell, and Rodgeous Parker.

It is our esteemed honor to have been entrusted with the care of Mother Thompson and to serve the Thompson family.