Lanarta K. Hernandez

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:1-6 NKJV)

On the morning of July 1, 1963, the Word said, “Let Bonnie Thompson and Howard Hughes bring forth Lanarta Kay Thompson into the earth.” And it was so! On the evening of June 8, 2015, the Word said, “Let Lanarta Kay Thompson-Hernandez return home.” And it was so!

Lanarta was born the 8th of 14 children. On April 12, 1970, she was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Anthony and Patricia Lewandowski as her God-parents. As an adult, while attending The Worldwide Church of God, Lanarta confessed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois, where she attended Leif Ericson and Francis Scott Key elementary schools, Frederick Douglass middle school, and Rezin Orr High school. She acquired her Certified Nursing Assistant designation in 1991, and soon thereafter joined Vitas Hospice, where she spent 25 years in her vocation, and received recognition and awards on a local and national level for her excellence in service of patients and colleagues alike. At the time of her passing, Lanarta was pursuing a degree in nursing from Triton College.

Lanarta is preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie, father, Howard, brother, Samuel E. Thompson, and eldest niece, Yolanda A. Jones. Lanarta leaves to carry on her love, life and legacy: Four Children – LaVonda Lynette Martinez-Thompson (Juan); Jose Angel Hernandez Jr. (Jose); Stephen Daniel Hernandez (Jose); and Kortni Fayetta McCray (Herman) – Eight Grandchildren – Lakhaila M. Stockdale, Thailer A. Stockdale, Elijah A. Thompson, and Ethan I. Thompson (LaVonda); Damian A. Hernandez, Julian Saenz (Jose), and Ayden V. Green (Jose by marriage); and Zamiyah B. Hernandez (Stephen) – Twelve siblings; Darthy Jones; Howard Thompson; Carolyn Young; Harold Thompson; Marsha Ballenger; Vivian Suggs; Sonya Thompson; Roderick Thompson; Anthony Thompson; Willie Thompson; Roshawnda Thompson; and Makisha Thompson – a host of nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law, other family members, patients, co-workers, and friends.

With loving-kindness, Lanarta embraced everyone, and her love for family was without bounds. She had many nicknames including “Nardi”, “Red”, “Piggy”, “Mom”, and “Nana”. Most will say, “She was my best friend.”

Lanarta was a phenomenal woman who demonstrated genuine charisma, generosity, humility, and humor, as well as sincere concern, compassion, courage, forgiveness, and love to us all.