Meet Deputy Director LaWanda Thomas

Last updated: September 24, 2026

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg Warren E911 Deputy Director LaWanda Thomas hopes she can show a legacy of service to the people of the Warren County.

Thomas was born in the “Big Easy” or as most know it by New Orleans, La., but she moved to Vicksburg when she was only four years old.

“While I was not born here, Vicksburg is the community where I grew up and have spent the vast majority of my life. It has always been home to me, and I am proud to have the opportunity to serve the people of Vicksburg in this role,” said Thomas.

She attended schools in Vicksburg and was part of the first class affected by the consolidation of the Vicksburg and Warren County school districts. As a result, she attended both Vicksburg High School and Warren Central High School and is a self-proclaimed proud member of the Consolidated Class of 1991. Following high school, she attended Alcorn State University, where she majored in business administration.

Thomas said she ended up at the E911 center by happenstance.

“I honestly happened into this career by chance. A close friend tagged me in a Facebook post about job openings at Vicksburg Warren 911, and it immediately caught my attention. I had always thought emergency communications would be something I’d enjoy,” said Thomas. “As I like to say, I’m a little ‘nosey by nature,’ so the opportunity to know what was going on and help people at the same time seemed like a perfect fit.”

She applied for the job and was invited to take the CritiCall test, which measures skills such as typing, multitasking, map reading, spelling, reading comprehension, and data entry.

After she passed the test, Thomas went through a lengthy hiring process which included multiple interviews including a panel interview, an interview with the then Training Coordinator, an interview with the then Deputy Director, a written test, and finally an interview with the Director.

After the long process, Thomas received a letter from the department thanking her for her interest and effectively dousing her hopes of being hired.

“I picked up that letter on my way to my father’s funeral. I was already emotionally overwhelmed, and when I read it, I tore it up and had my husband throw it away in the dumpster outside. Thinking the opportunity had passed, I went on to New Orleans for the funeral,” explained Thomas.

However, as fate would have it, Thomas would get another chance.

When she returned home, she received a call from then Director Shane Garrard.

“He said, ‘LaWanda, I know you’ve gotten the letter by now.’ I reluctantly said, ‘Yes’, wondering why he was calling when I already knew I hadn’t gotten the job. Then he asked if I was still interested in working at Vicksburg Warren 911. Without hesitation, I told him ‘Yes,'” Thomas said.

She began work on September 12, 2017, and said she immediately knew the job was right for her.

“From day one, I knew I had found my calling. I took to the job like a fish to water. I came in early, stayed late, and even spent time at the center on my days off just watching and learning from experienced dispatchers. I was eager to absorb everything I could about the profession,” said Thomas.

Her unwavering dedication paid off. In January 2019, she was promoted to Training Coordinator. This role allowed her to help shape and develop the next generation of dispatchers. A few months later, in April 2019, she was named as Dispatcher of the Year.

“Since then, I have continued to grow professionally, taking on new responsibilities and leadership roles. Today, I am proud to serve as the Deputy Director of Vicksburg Warren 911,” she said.

Thomas found her calling all thanks to a social media post.

“Looking back, what began with a Facebook post and a second chance became a career that I genuinely love. It has given me the opportunity to serve my community, support first responders, and help people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives,” she said.

Thomas is married to Dwayne and the couple has been married for nearly 12 years. She has four adult children: Janice Lewis, Kaynetra Tucker, C’Verius Lewis, and Shondrea Lewis. She said she is also blessed with seven grandchildren, with one more on the way.

“Family is everything to me. Over the past several years, my family has faced challenges that tested our strength, faith, and resilience,” she stressed.

In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, her mother became critically ill due to a gastrointestinal bleed and spent 97 days in the hospital. Because of COVID restrictions, Thomas was unable to stay with her mother during much of the time. Thomas said the experience was incredibly difficult.

When her mother finally returned home, she had to relearn many basic skills, including walking and feeding herself. Doctors gave the family a grim prognosis.

“But by God’s grace, she regained much of her independence and remained with us for several more years. I was honored to serve as her primary caregiver until her passing on June 10, 2024,” Thomas explained.

However, her mother’s illness was not the end of her families’ trials.

“While caring for my mother, my husband experienced a major health crisis of his own. In July 2022, he suffered a stroke while driving to work. Initially, we did not realize he had experienced a stroke, and it was only after his symptoms worsened that further testing revealed the cause. He would later endure five additional strokes and was diagnosed with vascular dementia. Despite those challenges, his determination and faith have carried him through. Today, he has regained much of his strength and remains by my side, although he still uses a cane for support,” she explained.

These experiences taught her the importance of faith, perseverance, and appreciating every moment with the people she loves.

“Through every challenge, God has sustained our family, and those experiences have shaped who I am today both personally and professionally,” she said of her faith.

Thomas credits God for bringing her this far through her life.

“First and foremost, I give all glory and honor to God. When I look back over my life and my career, I can clearly see His hand guiding my steps every step of the way. From not being selected for the position initially to receiving that life-changing phone call and beginning my career at Vicksburg Warren 911, I know none of this happened by chance. I have been blessed beyond measure, and I do not take this opportunity or the responsibilities that come with it lightly,” she said.

Thomas said she is truly honored and humbled to serve in her new role. Having started as a dispatcher and worked her way through the ranks, she understand the importance of every position within the organization and the critical role dispatchers play in the lives of citizens.

“Every call we answer is someone’s emergency, someone’s worst day, or someone’s plea for help, and that responsibility is something I carry with me every day,” Thomas maintains.

She said she will continue serving the citizens of Vicksburg and Warren County with integrity, compassion, professionalism, and accountability. She stressed that she wants the community to know their safety and well-being remain at the heart of every decision she makes. She believes strong public service begins with listening, building trust, and ensuring the team is prepared to meet the needs of the people they serve.

“I also hope to make a lasting impact by continuing to invest in training, employee development, and technological advancements that help us provide the highest level of service possible. I am passionate about developing future leaders, strengthening our communications center, and creating an environment where our employees can grow and succeed,” she said.

Ultimately, Thomas wants to show she has a heart for service to the people.

“More than anything, I want my legacy to be one of service. If, through God’s grace, I can leave this organization stronger than I found it and make a positive difference in the lives of our employees, first responders, and citizens, then I will consider my time in this role a success. I am excited about the future, grateful for the trust that has been placed in me, and committed to serving this community with dedication, humility, and a servant’s heart,” explained Thomas.

Thomas is a woman of faith, family, and service. She said her success is because of God’s grace and favor on her life. She’s faced many challenges, but claims each one as strengthened her faith and reinforced her belief that God has a purpose for every season of her life.

“I love my family, I love my community, and I love serving others. Whether as a caregiver, a dispatcher, a trainer, or now as Deputy Director, my goal has always been to help people and make a positive difference wherever God places me,” she said. “I am grateful for every opportunity I’ve been given, every lesson I’ve learned, and every person who has poured into me along the way. This journey has taught me never to give up, even when doors seem closed, because sometimes God is just preparing you for something greater.”

Thomas is a woman with a purpose to help and wants others to know it.

“In a nutshell, I’m simply a blessed woman who loves God, loves her family, loves her community, and is committed to serving others with compassion, humility, and purpose,” she said.