On November 22, 1943, a miracle was given to the late Elder H.L. Thomas and Lena Williams Thomas in Chattanooga, TN.  Lenall was their first daughter and second child of five children.  Lenall went to Main Street Elementary School and onward to Howard High School.

Lenall furthered her education by graduating from the Prairie Bible College in Toronto, Canada and matriculated at Williams Jennings Brian College in Tennessee before completing her undergraduate BA degree in English at the University of Pittsburgh.  She is a Developmental Psychologist and holds a Masters Degree in School work and a doctorate in Psychology and Education from the University of Pittsburgh.  Dr. Thomas was the Chief Executive Officer for the Center for Family Excellence, Inc. and was an administrator for over 40 years, and a retired professor in the Degree Completion Program at Geneva College.

Lenall's greatest love was for the Lord.  She believed in building communities one family at a time, and she embodied that ideal whether it was through her love and passion for God, her devotion to her biological family, her service to her Church family, or her leadership and guidance to her Center for Family Excellence family.   Lenall was able to meet individuals where they were and comfort them and often they became part of her extended family and held in her prayers and heart.

Lenall was a faithful member of the Morning Star Baptist Church in Glenwood for over 50 years and a faithful member of the Voices of Zion   She served as the Sunday School teacher and Superintendent and provided Christian Education for youth of all ages.   She served as the Dean of Congress of Christian Education for the Allegheny Union Baptist Association and a former President of the Congress of Christian Education under the PA Baptist State Convention Congress.   She was a Certified Dean by the National Baptist Sunday School Publishing Board. She often had a van filled with church members that she drove to events, and they fellowshipped on the road.

Dr. Thomas touched many lives as a community worker, religious leader, and community member.  She embodied the Values for Life curriculum that CFE programs promote.  Dr. Thomas's research focused on spiritual orientation, child development and psychological child maltreatment.  She helped to develop programs that keep families together, reunite families, and mentor adolescents in the Pittsburgh community and across the country.

God called her Home on January 1, 2025.  Preceding her in death were her parents; her brothers: Joseph "Big Daddy" Johnson Thomas, Levi Earl Thomas, Grover "GG" George Thomas; her sister: Rachel (William) Henderson; her son: George Earl Thomas.

She is survived by her eldest brother: H.L. "Ace" Thomas (Shirley); three sisters-in-law: Shirley Thomas, Dorothy Thomas and Lorraine Thomas; her son: James Henderson (Shirley); seven grandchildren: James Smith, George "TJ" Thomas, Jr, Jasmine Thomas, Lauren Williams, James Henderson Jr., Michelle Henderson, and Antonio "Tonio" Zarotney; and a special mention to her nephew: Kente' Thomas.  Lenall also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and long-term friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Morning Start Baptist Church, 5524 Second Ave, Hazelwood, PA 15207; Viewing: 10am-12pm; Service: 12pm; Interment: Greenwood Cemetery

Funeral arrangements entrusted to West Funeral Home; 2215 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219; tel: 412-471-2626