Laura Ann Smith Thomas was born November 27, 1945, in Eudora, Arkansas, to Virginia Ann Farris and Robert Smith and raised by her Godparents, Lynn and Annie Mae Austin, who all preceded her in death. Laura was baptized at an early age and graduated from Central High School in Lake Village, Arkansas, in 1961.In 1962, she married Freddie Springs and to this union two children were born, Denise "Neicey" Springs (Robert) and Freddie Springs, Jr. (who preceded her in death.) In 1966, she married William Ardis Thomas (who preceded her in death) and to this union two children were born, Sideya