Michele Laraine Thomas

Michele Laraine "Missy" Thomas was a force of light, remembered for her bright, irreverent, and infectious personality that filled every room she entered. Her humor was sharp, her spirit bold, and her generosity boundless. She loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and gave freely to those she held close.

Born in Jamaica, Queens, New York, Michele moved to Washington, DC to attend college and made the city her lifelong home. It was there that she built her career, raised her family, and cultivated the friendships and community that would shape the rest of her life.

Michele dedicated more than 39 years of service to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a reflection of her deep commitment to justice and equality. She believed wholeheartedly in its mission and carried that conviction throughout her remarkable career.

Above all else, Michele loved her children, Maya and Garen. They were her pride, her purpose, and the center of her world. Her love was steady, protective, and unwavering.

She found joy in life's simple pleasures, including music, being by the water, people-watching, a favorite movie or television show, and the bold vibrance of her favorite color, red, which reflected her spirited nature.

Michele will be memorialized in Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, her cherished summer retreat, alongside her beloved mother and father, Moselle and Harvey Thomas. She will be returning home to rest surrounded by love at the place she loved most.

She is survived by her lifelong partner Tekle; loving children, Maya and Garen; her siblings, Gregory and Sherida; extended family; dear friends; and all whose lives were touched by her warmth, humor, and unwavering love. She was preceded in death by her dear mother and father.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Michele's honor, a charity she supported, so that her legacy of generosity and compassion may continue to give the gift of life.

Donations can be made at: https://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/MicheleThomas