Darlita Thompson's Obituary
A precious one from us has gone,
a voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our home
which never can be filled,
And after a lonely heartache,
and many a silent tear,
We’ll always have a beautiful memory
of one we loved so dear.
Darlita Thompson was born on August 18, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, to Armenta S.
Young and John Moore Sr. She was raised on the South Side of Chicago and, at the age of two, went to live with her beloved grandmother, Roberta Swain, who helped lovingly raise her. Darlita experienced the loss of her mother at the young age of 14 in February 1974, a moment that shaped her strength and resilience.
She graduated from Simeon Career Academy in 1977, where she was actively involved in cheerleading and pom-pom dancing. During her high school years, Darlita had the privilege of dancing on the popular television show Soul Train, a reflection of her vibrant spirit and love for dance that stayed with her throughout her life.
In the 1980s, Darlita met the love of her life, Tyrone Thompson Sr., while they were both working at McDonald’s on Cottage Grove. The two were united in marriage on June 9, 1985.
In 1992, Darlita moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where she continued building a life centered around family, faith, and service. She attended Hawkeye Community College and graduated in 1997 with a degree in Social Work and Child Development. With a passion for caring for others, she opened her own in-home daycare, which she successfully operated for 10 years. She later worked at Lily Ferguson and then Head Start, where she faithfully served for eight years, impacting countless children and families.
After undergoing surgery on both knees and recovering, Darlita continued her strong work ethic by serving as a brand ambassador at Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Hy-Vee, where her warm personality left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Darlita’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. After visiting several churches upon moving to Waterloo, she found her church home at Life Christian Center, where she built lifelong relationships. She later became a dedicated member of Heartland Vineyard Church (HVC), where she faithfully served in Celebrate Recovery, Christ Life, the Prayer Team, Worship Team, as a greeter, in the café, assisting with communion, and participating in various outreaches. She even had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Mexico.
Darlita especially loved praising God through dance, a beautiful expression of her devotion and joy.
Darlita leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Tyrone Thompson Sr.; her beloved son, Jeremiah (Tyrone) Thompson Jr.; her cherished grandchildren, Nevaeh Krusemark, Dekari Thompson, Samiyah Wallican-Jones, and Jaydin Tyson; and her great-grandchildren, Calvin Edwards and Carter Edwards.
She also leaves behind a host of brothers and sisters: Mona (James) Bowers, Nicole (Walter) Breckenridge, Mark Young, John Moore Jr., Robert (Sherry) Young, Gwendolyn Moore, and Steven Moore.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Armenta S. Young; her sister, Sherry M. Williamson; and her brother, Michael Young.
The Sanders Service
What’s your fondest memory of Darlita?
What’s a lesson you learned from Darlita?
Share a story where Darlita's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Darlita you’ll never forget.
How did Darlita make you smile?

