Jo Hillman Thomas was called home to her eternal rest on May 8, 2024, at the age of 83, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Born on November 14, 1940, in the town of Lake Village Arkansas, she was a cherished child of the late E.O and Ola Hillman.

Her life's journey, marked by a humble spirit and a heart full of gratitude, led her to a noble path of service. Jo's enduring faith was reflected in her career, where she demonstrated a profound respect for her work and her 17 years of devoted service at Children's Hospital. Her gentle presence was a beacon of hope and a source of comfort to those she served.

She is survived by her sons, Barry (Ashley) and Donovan (Marca) Thomas who will carry on her legacy of kindness; her grandsons, Dakota, and Dylan Thomas, who were the pride of her life. Her great-granddaughter, Athena Thomas, will grow in the light of her memory. Jo now joins her beloved parents, sister Lee, and brother Tommy in the Kingdom of Heaven in the presence of Jesus, where she is surely welcomed with open arms.

The Thomas family invites all whose lives were graced by Jo's gentle spirit to join in a celebration of her life at Click Funeral Home Middlebrook Chapel. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 4:00-6:00pm with a service to follow at 6:00pm. Together, in the spirit of gratitude and reverence, we will honor a life so beautifully lived.

As we bid farewell to Jo, we are reminded of the blessings she bestowed upon us, her humble service, and the unconditional love she shared. Her memory will forever be a guiding star in the hearts of those she touched.

In lieu of Flowers please donate to Children’s Hospital in her name.

"it’s a shame you probably won’t get to see my 21st but it’s okay i wouldn’t have made it this far without you pretty soon you’ll be riding in that caddy hearse maybe a benz but there’s no telling man it really hurts.

sad to say you won’t get to see me grow into half the person you were some days the sky looks brighter but some days it’s like a sepia filter has been placed onto everything around me but i know that you’re about to see your family again, and i love that for you.

i never got to meet your parents, or if i did i wasn’t old enough to remember but i heard they were good people, and i know they’ll be happy to see you i went with you a few years ago to visit your sister right before she passed little did i know half a decade later it’d be you.

the storm brews overnight, and lately it’s been pouring it’s felt really nice out and i know you’d be wearing that bucket hat you love if you could the last thing you said to me was a joke i turned away and said “i love you mamaw” as i walked out the door.

with all that you could muster, as loud as you could, you joked “you better love me!”

i laughed.

later that day when i thought about you saying that, i couldn’t help but cry the latter half of the storm, yknow when it clears up, but it’s still muggy outside-

that’s kinda how the world feels right now it won’t be the same without you in it but i know and i can say this with confidence that after the grey sky clears, and the heavens open up there’s gonna be a rainbow beaming across the sky.

I love you mamaw.

you’ve always been there for those who needed it most, even when what they needed you didn’t have to offer.

i hope one day to be half the person you were.

tell Lee i said hi."

-Dylan Thomas Tuesday 3:29pm after the Chaplin prayed over her.