Michelle Linn Thomas

Michelle Linn Thomas began her life journey on Wednesday, October 22, 1975, to the loving union of Ricky D. and Kathleen Moesch in Louisiana, Missouri. She was the second of four children born to this union. Shell, Shelly, Michelle my Bele, Apple Shell, Aunt Shell, Moesch, and Mom were her loving nicknames heard throughout her life journey.

Michelle moved to the Eolia, Missouri area with her family in 1986, where she attended Clopton High School in Clarksville, Missouri. She continued the family history of musicianship, playing the clarinet for the Clopton Hawks. Being a standout clarinetist, she earned a scholarship to attend and play for the Missouri Western State College (MWSC) Griffons’ band in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1994. Initially majoring in Education to be a teacher, she switched her major to Human Resources and graduated in 2002. MWSC is now known as MWSU (Missouri Western State University).

After graduating from MWSC, Michelle moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 2003. She furthered her education in 2010 through The University of Arkansas Grantham University and graduated with her Master of Science in Performance Improvement degree in 2012.

Unknowingly, Michelle met her future husband Liddell Thomas Jr. in 1994 while attending MWSC. Through those years, their friendship grew into a bond. That bond became a one loving flesh union on Saturday, October 23, 2004, at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church (now known as Canaan Worship Center) in Kansas City, Missouri under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Tony D. and First Lady Mary Ann Cobbins. To this loving union, their beautiful daughter, Mia Thomas, was born in 2007. On Friday, January 16, 2026, God called Michelle’s name to be an angel.

Michelle loved hanging out with family and friends, giving out her time and energy, hosting and/or coordinating gatherings, playing games, traveling, being a cheer mom, and just living life. She especially loved playing and later hanging out with Mia, along with nieces, and nephews whom she adored. Although she did not acquire a teaching degree in college, she satisfied that itch by faithfully volunteering her time on Sundays in the Children’s Ministry as a member of Canaan Worship Center. She loved and had a big heart for kids.

Michelle was preceded in death by her mother Kathleen Studards (Murphy) of Steelville, MO; father-in-law Liddell Thomas Sr. of Des Moines, IA; and brother, Steven Moesch of Pleasant Hill, MO.

Michelle leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband of 21 years and 2 months, Liddell Thomas Jr.; loving daughter Mia Thomas of Kansas City, MO; father, Ricky D (Sandra) Moesch of Winfield, MO; brothers, Christopher (Kristina) Moesch of Hawk Point, MO, and Joseph (Kristy) Moesch of St. Joseph, MO; sister, Elizabeth Moesch of Cameron, MO; mother-in-law Laura Thomas of Des Moines, IA; sister-in-law Lori Thomas of Des Moines, IA; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Michelle will be missed by all who encountered her big heart.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2-4