Lera Millard was born to Annie Donnell Watkins and Jesse Waldington Thomas on August 3, 1900, in Nacogdoches, Texas. She attended Brenau College in Gainesville, Georgia, and the University of Alabama. Lera and Albert Langston Thomas married in 1922 and had three children: James ‘Jim’ Nelson, Anne, and Lera. The couple first moved to Houston where Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Houston League of Voters. When Albert was elected to Congress in 1936, the family moved to Washington, D.C.

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On February 15, 1966, Albert Thomas died and a special election was called for March 26, 1966, to elect another Representative. Lera Millard Thomas was the first woman elected to Congress from the State of Texas when she was elected as a Democrat in the special election to succeed her deceased husband. She received over 74% of the vote against Republican Louis Leman who urged voters to vote for the Widow Thomas. She served on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee to support the expansion of the Houston Ship Channel. Because he died after filing for office in 1966, Albert Thomas's name remained on the Democratic Primary ballot for the 8th District, and his widow determined that she would not seek a full term for 1967. After serving the remainder of her husband's term, Thomas left Congress on January 3, 1967. Upon completion of her term, Lera served as a special liaison for the Houston Chronicle to members of the armed services in Vietnam.

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Upon return from Vietnam, the dream of Millard's Crossing Historic Village in Nacogdoches became a reality. Lera resided in Nacogdoches until her death on July 23, 1993 where she was interred in Oak Grove Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in the county.​​