Sandra Whitman Thomas

Sandra Whitman Thomas passed away on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, in her home in Pinewood Estates at the age of 79.  Sandy was born on November 25, 1945, to Allon and Lily Whitman in Port Neches, Texas.

After her graduation from Port Neches-Groves High School, she studied mathematics at Stephen F. Austin State College in Nacogdoches, Texas. In 1965, she met and married the love of her life, Benny Thomas, and they moved to Beaumont. While Benny finished his university studies, Sandy earned a diploma from the Beaumont Commercial College and began her career as an administrator. When she became a mother to her two daughters, Hollie and Jodie, her true self emerged, as her creativity and fierce resourcefulness filled every day and age with wonder and adventure.

In 1975, when Benny answered the call to the ministry, Sandy did as well, and together for the next fifty years they dedicated their talents and skills to serving God and their community. For several decades, Sandy facilitated Christian education in the Southeast Texas area. As founder and administrator of Living Waters Christian Academy, she impacted the lives of her students with her ever practical guidance and love.

Sandy loved to travel, from frequent day trips to Galveston Island to holiday seasons in New York City for Christmas window shopping and the Radio City Rockettes. But her favorite place in the world was her back porch swing in the Texas Piney Woods, also known as “Mimi’s Forest”, where cardinals, goldfinches, hummingbirds and many rascally squirrels visited her beautiful bird garden every morning and where the golden sunsets were rarely missed.

Sandy leaves behind her devoted husband, Benny Thomas; her two daughters, Hollie Thomas and Jodie Long; her son-in-law, John Long; her three adored grandsons, Allen, Thomas, and London; and her beloved brother and sister-in-law, Rocky and Denise Whitman. She was also an adopted Mom and Mimi to many who always had a place in her home and her heart.

Even though we know we will see her again, we will miss her every day, and with every changing season, we will remember the joy with which she anticipated and celebrated each one, and all the magic she lovingly created for us.

Memorial contributions may be made to Church of Living Waters, P.O. Box 7820, Beaumont, Texas 77726.

A gathering of Mrs. Thomas’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, May 5, 2025, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Broussard’s, with a graveside service to follow at 3:00 p.m., at Spikes Cemetery, Bancroft, Louisiana.