Donna Rier Thomas

Donna Rier Thomas was born in Memphis on April 25, 1932, and passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 21, 2025. She graduated from Messick High School valedictorian of her class and was an honor graduate of UTCHS Dental Hygiene College. She married Jim Thomas in 1955 assisting him in his dental practice. She assisted him on 3 dental mission trips to Latin America. Donna was a loving mother to 3 children and an active church member and lived her life serving the Lord and others. Her beautiful smile and selfless kind gentle spirit touched all who knew her. She loved people and was an encouragement to everyone. Her hobbies included playing golf, tennis, games and piano as well as puzzles, reading, writing poems, calligraphy, cooking and entertaining, making jewelry and knitting scarves. She was preceded in death by her parents Gladys and Lawrence Rier as well as daughter Melanie Hamilton. She leaves behind her husband Dr. Jim Thomas, daughter Lisa Dean (Gary), son Dr. (Jet) James E. Thomas, Jr (Dr. Elizabeth), and son-in-law Dr. Mack Hamilton. Also, six grandchildren: Dr. Amy Constantine, Laura Brown (Jonathan), Hunter Dean (Tessa), Michael Dean (Anna), Parker (Jessy), and Sam Thomas. Also, there are 8 great grandchildren: Virginia and Hendrix Dean, Haley and Melly Brown, James Elena and Aaron Constantine, and Roger Thomas. She also leaves a beloved sister Barbara Wennemark and her two children Sherrye Willet (Paul) and Larry Stewart. The visitation will be Tuesday, May 27th at 12 noon at Faith Baptist Church 3755 N Germantown Rd followed by the service at 1pm. The burial will take place at Memphis Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Faith Baptist Church Bartlett Missions Ministry.