Leona holds an Associate Degree from Belleville Area College in Criminal Justice; a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Louis University in Community Service and attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville for a Master’s Degree in Special Education.
She worked for several years as a Special Education Teacher at the Mamie O. Stookey School in Belleville, Illinois. There she taught children with profound disabilities. Ms. Thomas says that she learned her greatest lessons about “care” at the Mamie O. Stookey School.
When she learned her lessons about care at one job, it was then time to go on to the next. So, after leaving Mamie O. Stookey School, Leona worked for Unity Hospice of Greater St. Louis. It was time to learn about care at a different level. There, Leona was Volunteer/Bereavement Coordinator. She recruited, trained volunteers and provided bereavement support.
Currently, Ms. Thomas is a Career Specialist for Better Family Life in St. Louis, Missouri. She works with individuals who receive State Benefits. Her job is to assist clients to obtain employment, educational needs, job training, etc.
During the early 1990’s, Ms. Thomas was introduced to New Age Truth and Master Teacher, Dr. David M. Berry, by a dear friend and former coworker at the Mamie O Stookey School who took her to attend her first New Age Truth Women’s Class held in Florissant, Mo. Leona joined New Age Truth of Missouri in the year 2000. She currently services as the organization’s Secretary and co-coordinator of the Dr. David M. Berry Memorial Scholarship Committee.
JoAnn B. Tucker, Vice President
Bonnie M. Harmon-Greene, Treasurer
Nefertitti Berry, Assistant Treasurer
Osiris Tucker, YIC Coordinator
Donna K. Scott, DMB Scholarship Committee