Sondra Hollis Thomas' Obituary
Sondra Hollis Thomas, age 81, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away on August 5, 2024, at Willard Walker Hospice Home after a sudden illness. Sondra was born February 16, 1943, in Camden, Arkansas. She was one of six children of the late Hayle Ponder Hollis and Roberta Averett Hollis of Locust Bayou, Arkansas. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Fayetteville and a longtime member of Georgia’s Rebels Book Club and the Fayetteville Newcomers Club. Sondra was a fan of all Razorback sports and a caring friend to all. She cherished her relationships with friends and neighbors. Sondra married Joel Lawrence Thomas in Camden, Arkansas on November 16, 1962. Joel’s career as an industrial engineer led them to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Pensacola, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri. They happily retired in Fayetteville in 2001, the place where they began their married life while Joel attended the University of Arkansas from 1963-1967. Sondra was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings: Phyllis Harris, Jane King, and Tom Hollis, former son-in-law Vernon Beach, and a great-granddaughter, Harper Faith Beach. She is survived by three children: Beth Gallagher (Paul) of Coralville, Iowa, Hope Sharp (Kendall) of Chicago, Illinois, and Jay Thomas (Krystal) of Elkins. She is also survived by her brothers, Jim Hollis (Renee) and Reed Hollis, both of Austin, Texas, brother-in-law, Mike King, of Batesville, Arkansas, and four grandchildren: Chris Beach (Morgan) of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Phillip Beach (Tori) of Benton, Arkansas, and Ellie Sharp and Grob Sharp, both of Chicago, Illinois. She was the beloved Mimi of three great-grandchildren: Jack, Luke, and Max Beach, of Jonesboro, and a great-nephew, Tate Pickens of Fayetteville. Sondra was also blessed to have numerous nieces and nephews, along with their children, whom she dearly loved. At Sondra’s request, there will be no funeral service. Friends and family will celebrate Sondra’s life at a later date. The family would especially like to thank our parents’ close friends, neighbors, and church family for their loving care and generosity to us and our parents.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville.
Donations in Sondra's memory may be given to the Fayetteville Public Library, the Harper Faith Foundation via PayPal @harperfaith, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
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