On June 21, 2024, Laniece Draughon Thomas, of Georgetown, TX, died at the age of 93.

Laniece was born on March 1, 1931, in Nashville, TN. Her loving family included her parents, Libby and Henry Frey Draughon, maternal grandmother, Ella Napier, big brother, Bob, and little sister, Mary. Laniece grew up in Florida and graduated from Orlando High School.

Laniece married in 1953 and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her first child was born. Three more children arrived in Kingsport, TN. After another move to Detroit, MI, her family landed in Houston, TX for the next twenty years. Laniece embraced and excelled at all of the traditional Mom roles. She was a generous Sunday School Teacher, Brownie Girl Scout Leader, and Room Mom. She was a good family cook and dessert baker. She was a great home sewer who made lovely clothes, from Easter dresses to Halloween costumes, as well as curtains and bedspreads.

As an empty nester, she relocated to Dallas, TX, in 1986. She lived near her mother and her sister. She became an enthusiastic quilter alongside many friends at the Richardson Senior Center. Laniece considers her family to be her greatest achievement. The first grandchild christened her as Mema, and that was the name she cherished for her lifetime. Each of the six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren was loved unconditionally. A freshly baked pan of brownies was prepared for every visit to her home. Every birthday and life milestone was recognized with a special card and note. She hosted Camp Mema each summer, to the delight of grandchildren and their parents alike.

In 2017, Laniece and her sister relocated to Georgetown, TX. They both enjoyed making new friends within the Wesleyan community. She was a voracious reader and kept meticulous files by date, author, and title as she read each volume. A life-long Presbyterian, she continued her practice of worshiping at First Presbyterian Church in Georgetown.

Laniece is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her daughter, Ellen Weiss, and two great-grand nephews. Her sister died six days before Laniece. She is survived by her son-in-law, John Weiss of Edmunds, WA; son and daughter-in-law, John and Pat Thomas of Sevierville, TN; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Jeff Good of Vashon Island, WA; and daughter and son-in-law, Linda Thomas and Robert Cravens of Georgetown, TX. She is also survived by her true pride and joy – her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brian, Jessica, Austin and Coen Good; Daniel Good; Libby Cravens and Michael Grzybowski; Sarah and Jacob Huston-Cravens; Helen Todd; Chris, Allie, Lucy, Eli and Ruby Todd.

A joint memorial service will be held for the sisters on July 20 at the Wesleyan Independent Living Hewlitt Room in Georgetown, TX. In memory of Laniece, bake a pan of brownies, read a book, and send a hand written letter to a friend.