Laura "Lala" Rivera Thompson

“Grief never ends…but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith…it is the price of love.”

Laura Rivera Thompson, lovingly known by most as “LaLa”, age 96 of Callaway, Florida passed away at her residence on Saturday, June 17, 2023. She was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on July 6, 1926 to the late Perfecto Rivera and Saturnina Cordero Rivera. Laura left Puerto Rico for New York at the age of sixteen. She took pride in education and knowledge and utilized those areas to become a licensed cosmetologist as well as working as a hat designer in Manhattan, NY. She lived in California, Arkansas, Maine and Tennessee as a military spouse before becoming a resident of Kentucky where she would spend many years.

Laura moved to Callaway, Florida in 1978 and became an entrepreneur in real estate. She grew her business over the years and owned multiple properties. During this time, Laura became known as the “duck leader” because she also ran an in-home day care where she helped raise and touch the lives of so many children.

Through her years as being a warrior and the ultimate single mom, a caretaker of children, and as an unapologetic hard worker who would never give up; she was able to graciously pass down her wisdom to all those who surrounded her. Laura was a devout servant of Christ and loved our Lord with all of her being. She would proudly speak of his name often and filled with love. Her Church, Palo Alto Church of Christ, was her home.

She was preceded in death by both parents, siblings Carmen Rivera, Matilde Quinones, Nohelio Rivera, and son, Tommy Thompson.

Laura is survived by her son, James Thompson and wife Stacie of Callaway, Florida; grandchildren, Kirsten Thompson and Jared Thompson, great-granddaughter, Lilith Thompson, siblings Ana Miranda and Maria Almeyda.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 P.M. Central Time on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Palo Alto Church of Christ, 3119 US Hwy 231, Panama City, FL 32405. A time of visitation will begin at 2:30 P.M. Central Time.

Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe, Florida.