Sammie Lee Thomas

Sammie Lee Thomas was born May 23, 1948, to the late Jim Thomas and Ollie Holmes Thomas in Toltec, Arkansas. Sammie grew up in Keo, Arkansas to parents who loved and trained their children in the ways of Christ. He was baptized in January 1988 at Emmanuel Baptist in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Sammie attended Scipio A. Jones High School in North Little Rock, AR where he was proficient in art, winning blue ribbons for his artistic pursuits. After graduating high school 1967, he joined the Air Force where he completed basic training in California and was later deployed to serve in Vietnam. He received an honorable discharge in 1971. After his service, he returned home and attended Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical, & Normal College in Pine Bluff (UAPB), where he majored in Art and Pulaski Technical College where he studied machinery.

Sammie was an artist who expressed himself in various ways. His artistic nature was inherited by his children and grandchildren. He taught life lessons using chess, pool, photography and all manner of technical and woodworking projects. He would avail himself to anyone who was in need whether it be auto or home repair or just a listening ear. He was a dog lover who had a particular affinity for schnauzers. He surrounded himself with faithful friends who revered him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 4:25 a.m., Sammie transitioned to healing and the love of his heavenly father. He was welcomed by his father and mother, Jim and Ollie Thomas, his son, Everett Thomas and brother, Albert Thomas.

To cherish his memory, Sammie leaves his loving wife, Bettie Thomas, who enjoyed 52 years of love and memories; his legacy includes his children: Stephanie Thomas, Tabori Tidwell (Dominic), Sabonn Thomas (LaNina) of Los Angeles, CA, Jasmine Thomas, and Tiye Thomas; grandchildren: Aharon Thomas of New York, NY, Khyle Thomas, Taylor Thomas, Quincey Thomas (Robyn) of Waco TX, Dominic Tidwell Jr., Nicholas Tidwell, Josiah Thomas, Bella Rose Tidwell, Stoklee Thomas, and Kingston Thomas; great grandchildren: Ayla Thomas, Khylie Thomas, Denzel Thomas, Saint Thomas and Emeri Thomas; siblings: Mattie Cooper, Ollie Akins (Henry), Jimmie Godfrey, Ruth North, and Willie Thomas of St. Louis, MO, as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends.

We thank God for the love and life lessons we shared with Sammie. He will be honored, remembered and sorely missed.