On February 13, Clara Helen Thomas turned 100 years young, and this week, Osceola County made sure the milestone did not go unnoticed.

During a heartfelt presentation inside the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners Chambers, District 4 Commissioner Cheryl Grieb led a special recognition ceremony honoring Clara’s extraordinary century of life — a life deeply woven into the history of Kissimmee and Osceola County.

“On behalf of the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners, it is my pleasure and my honor to recognize your extraordinary legacy on the occasion of your 100th birthday,” Commissioner Grieb said during the presentation, as Clara was surrounded by family, flowers, and generations of love.

A Life Rooted in Strength and Service

Born February 13, 1926, in Lake Wales, Florida, Clara was the tenth of eleven children born to John and Isabel Adkins. In 1947, at just 21 years old, she moved to Kissimmee with her husband, Roy Lee Thomas — a man who would later become the city’s first Black licensed building contractor.

Living through segregation, Clara met every barrier with quiet strength.

Together, Clara and Roy purchased land and built homes to provide housing for African American families at a time when options were scarce. They converted their first home into a rooming house, which Clara lovingly managed for more than 30 years. It became a place of stability, dignity, and opportunity for generations of tenants.

Her impact extended far beyond housing.

Clara was among the first African American parents in Kissimmee to send her daughter to an all-white school when integration began — a courageous step that helped pave the way for future generations.

Professionally, she worked first as a domestic worker before becoming a licensed cosmetologist — the third African American hairstylist in Kissimmee — operating a home salon for 15 years.