Laurie Ann Graves, 64, met Jesus on March 7, 2024, while sleeping peacefully at her home in Indianapolis during a brave battle with brain cancer. She was greeted in heaven by her father, Charles ‘Bobby’ Graves.  

She leaves behind her mother Frankie (Ed LaRochelle), husband Don Thomas, sister Lindy (Mike Smith), stepdaughter Nikki (Cory Dunigan) and her ‘One and Only’, her son Jake Thompson (Megan). Along with her nephew Zane Smith (Caitlin) and niece Shea (Nick Volz), her extended step family, and her numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Tennessee and Virginia. She will be deeply and dearly missed by all. 

Laurie was born November 2, 1959, in Indianapolis, and remained an Indiana resident her entire life. She graduated from Perry Meridian High School in 1978, where she was a varsity cheerleader for the Falcons and created many treasured lifelong friendships. She attended IU Bloomington, but obtained her bachelors (2002) and masters (2007) degrees in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.  

Laurie started her career journey at USAirways in the early 90s, where she worked at the call center in Indianapolis until 2004. She then worked for Resort Condominiums International (RCI) where she traveled all over the world, providing training to staff and giving presentations as Senior Manager, Learning and Development. Her tenure with RCI came to an end once the pandemic hit in 2020. 

Laurie married Don Thomas on New Year’s Eve 2020, and she started her own company, Talenteum Group, in 2022. With Don working alongside her, her talent acquisition company flourished, and they brought Jake on board in 2023. Laurie remains the heart and soul of Talenteum Group.

Laurie was petite but lived and loved big. She loved golf – she played in a league and was “pretty darn good” – and she loved all things Indiana: Hoosiers, Colts and the Indy 500. She loved traveling and enjoyed recent trips to Italy, Spain, Fiji and Australia with Don, Lindy and Mike. Laurie loved music and dancing and often joined the bands onstage to show off her tambourine skills. Most of all, she loved making memories with her family and her many friends who love her so much.

Laurie had a strong faith and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior.

A celebration of life for Laurie will be held on April 6 at Geist Christian Church Promise Road Campus,12756 Promise Road, Fishers, where Laurie and Don are members. Visitation will be from 10-11am, followed by a celebration service at 11am. In lieu of flowers, Laurie’s family encourages you to make a donation to Geist Christian Church (Memorial Fund at GCC) or Coburn Place Safe Haven (Coburn Place Donate).

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