Dora Louise (Johnson) Thomas

Dora Louise (Johnson) Thomas, was born July 18, 1955 in Memphis, TN to Irma Jean (Butts) Johnson and Louis Frank Thaxton who, I'm sure were waiting at heavens gates, with open arms.

Dora also has three brothers who preceded her in death-Frank Thaxton, Terry Thaxton and James Thaxton. She has five sisters, Alma J Van Horn, Genease Thaxton, Deneen K Attard, Celeste Saphire Jones and a very special sister Charlene (Cookie) Briggs (Willie).

Dora's- Sister in laws, Barbara Ann Champion (Detrias), Denise (Thomas) Farmer (Chris), Samantha Rolston, and Shirley Ann Termoto. A god-daughter, Sophia Johnson and a host relatives, dear friends and countless associates.

Dora professed her hope and faith in Christ at an early age and joined the Pine's Ministerial Group and later became a member of Friendly Temple, and leave behind her extended church family.

She was educated through the Saint Louis Public School system. And, at a very early age, she found that she not only had a passion for caring and taking care of others, but that she also had a gilt for it. Because of this, she pursued a career in nursing and became a CNA to fulfill her hearts desire. Her skills ranged from caring for patients in general care to those suffering from Alzheimer's or Dementia and helping ease the transition for those in hospice. Where her gentle caring and sense of humor helped to extend the lives of her patients. Some for a few hours, days or weeks and even a few years. She was very devoted to that task until her own health would not allow her to care for others any longer. She had definitely made an impact on her patients and their families. Some of these families would still reach out to her years after her shift has ended. Some of these families are here today.

Dora always knew she wanted children and a family of her own. She married Donnell Pines and created her first two of three masterpieces, Shawon Trenise (Pines) Brown (Ardell) and Donnell Shaun Pines (Starlie). When that road had to an end, she found her best friend and true love, her husband till the end, Rodney Thomas. They married and added the final of three, her baby boy, Antione Rodrick Thomas. She was gentle but stern mother. She loved that role more than being a caregiver. She was overly joyed when she took on the title as a grandma to Aidan William Brown, Hanna Grace Brown, Makalya Savon Pines, and Xavier Chase Pines.

Dora and Rodney celebrated 42 Beautiful years together. She was his "Dear" from the start to the end. They were true best friends. They honored the covenant of their vowels and stayed faithful and true, thru good and bad, sickness and health and only death do they part. They loved to travel and regardless of if it was just the two of them or with family, it was going to be adventure. Dora and Rodney had many traveling "firsts" together. Like her first time ever flying was on a trip to California to Shaun's and Starlie's Wedding. She was so nervous she refused to sit by the window and kept grabbing her husbands arms throughout the entire flight. Once they touched down, she vowed to never fly again. Needless to say, she said that after every flights since her first.

Or, the first time she ever tasted lobster. She didn't want to try it but when Rodney's plate came and he offered her a taste, she ended up with his entire plate and passed him, her steak and potato. Her first time ever eating shrimp at an all you can eat.