Kaylea Jo Ray Thompson, 16 of Lincoln, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Lincoln on April 7, 2024. Kaylea was born on July 19, 2007, in Phoenix, Arizona to Whitney Neale and James N. W. Thompson. 

She spent her early years with her mother and grandmother in Phoenix, Arizona. Kaylea came to live with Timothy and Barbara Thompson in 2017. She joined her sister, Payton, and brother, James (JJ). She was adopted by Timothy and Barbara Thompson in 2018. 

Kaylea attended AWANA, youth group, the Callaway Community Church, and also attended Callaway Public Schools. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 7-years-old. It was challenging for her to learn how to navigate controlling her blood sugar. She enjoyed being with her friends, playing games, shooting baskets, swimming, listening to music, and drawing. She also enjoyed the time she had learning about horses, riding, and going to bible study. 

Kaylea was preceded in death by her grandfather, Timothy Thompson; maternal great-grandmother, Shirley Steele; and paternal great-grandparents, Leona Lugenbyhland and Bill and Anna Belle Zoerb.

Those left to mourn Kaylea are Whitney Neale of Phoenix; James N.W. Thompson of Lincoln; sister, Payton Loewenstein of Kearney; brother, James (Miranda Phaby) Thompson of Cozad; niece, Hadley Thompson-Phaby of Cozad; maternal grandmother, Sandra Steele of Phoenix and paternal grandmother, Barbara Thompson of Callaway; maternal aunts, Lindsay (Adam) Albelo and Ami Steele; maternal uncle, Kyle Steele, all from Phoenix; paternal aunts and uncles, Josh (Griselda) Key Beiber of Maricopa, Arizona, Chrissy Key and Carolina Cudd of Phoenix, Arizona, Jennifer (Mark) Pollock of Glendale, Arizona, Beverly (Jerry) Witthuhn of Omaha, Sandra (Ray) Thompson of Gentry, Arkansas, Elaine (Paul) Howsden of Lincoln, as well as many cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service for Kaylea will be held on Tuesday, April 23, at 2:00 p.m. at the Callaway Community Church with Pastor Dean Haidle, officiating. Memorials are kindly suggested to the Callaway Community Church in Callaway.

Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com