Tonya Rose Skipper-Thomas, 61 years old, was born on Saturday, November 30, 1963, in Lake Charles, LA, to Rosa S. Smith. While a resident at Harbor Hospice, she departed this life on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Tonya graduated from W.O. Boston High School, Class of 1981. She briefly attended McNeese State University in accounting, where she utilized those skills for many years as the parish secretary at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, as well as providing tax services for anyone who asked.

Tonya will be remembered for her giving spirit, a smile that would light up any room, and for her affectionate "hey my darling" welcome, anytime you called or came by her home. She never met a stranger. And if you were lucky enough to be considered a friend, you were a friend for life. Holidays and birthdays will never be the same without her overstuffed bags of goodies and telephone serenades. She gave with her full heart and never forgot anyone.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Morris and Myrtle Skipper, siblings, Kimberly West and Jason Young, and stepsister, Ethel Smith, aunt, Gwendolyn Syas, uncles, Glenver Skipper, and Henry Skipper, first cousin, she considered an uncle, Claude Syas, brother-in-law, Gary Thomas, father-in-law, Paul Thomas Sr, sister-in-law, Andrea Thomas and mother-in-law, Mary M. Thomas.

Remembering Tonya and cherishing her memories are her husband, Paul Thomas, Jr., sons, Devon P. (Erica) Skipper and Troy D. Thomas, step-daughters, Natalie (Reggie) Medlock and Crystal Welcome, step-son, Arthur L. "Mann" (Anabel) Welcome, mother, Rosa S. Smith, brother, Damon Troy Skipper, Sr., grandchildren, Alaniss Foney, Devontae P. Skipper, Karmyn Skipper, Dylan P. Skipper, I'yana Medlock, Leah Medlock, Trey Medlock, Sylar Welcome, Dylan Welcome, Analee Welcome and Leeana Welcome. Nieces and nephews, Chanielle L. Skipper, Nicole M. Simon, Sasha (Mary) Tousant, Fallon P. Victorian, Desirae M. Skipper, Nicole M. Tousant, Dejaraune L. Skipper, Damon T. Skipper, Jr., Donovan C. Martin, Tristian G. Thomas, Gary J. Thomas, Clinton W. Iles, Christian R. Thomas, Michael A. Thomas, Derricka Z. Thomas, Jaelen D. Ennis, Jeremy D. Edwards, Sr., Daylon J. Simmons, Don Williams, Donovan Williams, Brittany Fontenot and a host of great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, cousins, dear family members and friends for life.

Her life will remain in the hearts of her aunts, Josephine Reed, Marjorie (Melvin) Franklin, Cynthia Franklin, and Patricia Skipper, uncles, Conley M. Franklin, and Frank Reed and her sisters in love; Deborah Doshier, Renee D. Thomas, Lois A. Sterling, Letitia L. Victorian, Tosha Tousant, Melinda J. Martin, and D'Shaun "Nikki" Thomas, siblings-in-law, Patrick (Renee) Thomas, Jerome Thomas, Mark Thomas, and Brenda Fontenot.