Doris Thomas

Doris I. Thomas was born in Lafe on May 26, 1947 and passed on December 3, 2017 at her home. She began her professional career in Memphis as a secretary at IBM and advanced to the IBM account manager of American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her love for antiquing became her passion when she lived in Tulsa. She later moved back to her home state of Arkansas and opened an antique shop called Checkerboard Antiques in Portia. Due to the recession in the early 2000’s, she closed her shop and went to work at Cavenaugh Ford. She retired from Cavanaugh in 2011 and became the caregiver of her dad. Her love for antiques once again spurred a business, and she opened booths in several antique malls in the area. Doris was well-known and loved by her family and many in her community. She loved her dog, Anna, and being in the yard with her flowers. She was preceded in death by her father, W.W. (Bill) Thomas and her mother, Gwendolyn Byers Thomas.

She is survived by her brother, Bill Thomas (Leta); 4 nieces, Melody Bevins, Joy Thomas Sawyer (Jamie), Carol Deckelman (Eric), and Andrea Crimm Cardwell; 7 great nieces and nephews, Andy Sites (Ashley), Mikaela Bevins, Chase Bevins, Corbin Bevins, Maggie Deckelman, Jackson Cardwell, and Jemma Cardwell; and 2 great, great nephews, Mason and John Sites.

Visitation is Saturday from 11am to 12pm at Heath Funeral Home. A graveside funeral begins at 1 pm at Gainesville Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Republican Party of Arkansas.