Mr. Lionel Burton Thomas was born on March 17, 1940 in East St. Louis, IL to Walter Thomas and Inez Holliday. Lionel confessed a hope in Christ at a early age uniting with Truelight Baptist Church.

Lionel graduated from Lincoln High School and later attended SIU Edwardsville and East St. Louis State Community College.

Lionel departed this life on February 25, 2025. He leaves to cherish his memory his brothers, Vincent Thomas, Maurice Thomas, and a host of other relatives and friends.