We of the Thomas and Willis Families lovingly honor The Woman, the Sister, the Wife, the Mother and the exemplary hard worker that rarely asked anyone for help. This beautiful and kind woman, Andrea Thomas-Willis was our Mother. She taught my Brother and I to be bold and always put out to the world what you want to be positively, remembered for, with integrity and with no shame. She taught us the value of working with our hands, taking care of business first, and making sure to finish what we start. She encouraged us to stand up and speak, even though she herself, by putting the feelings of others first, didn’t always speak up for herself and take the bull by the horns.

These decisions, among others at times complicated her ability to shine and accomplish her own dreams, but she was always there to bolster and support the dreams of others. She supported our dad, who is still living, in his musicianship, helping him write music, singing and playing the congas at his shows. She gave him 43 beautiful years of time, love, care, support, laughter, and care of my brother and I, to the best of her ability, given her limited resources and influences that unfortunately contributed to a dimming of her light.

She gave her time exorbitantly to her jobs, having to hold many at a time, during different phases of her journey. She wore many hats in the working world, as well as the family world. She was one of four beautiful sisters, whose strength, determination and integrity resounded wherever they went. She was the daughter of an exemplary Army Veteran and Associate Dean of Continuing Education. After graduating with her BA in Sociology with a Criminology focus from Washington University in Missouri, she was well versed in Real Estate, Administration, Modeling, Retail and Dance. Her passions could have taken her in any direction. We admired her greatly and marveled at her multifaceted abilities. Her passion for Dance and Teaching sparked her Daughter Leah’s passion, joy and dedication to the art. Andrea's 17-year Dance Instructor Professional Track sparked Leah's career, which she holds to this day. Had it not been for her bravery to boldly be real, modest, innovative, and unafraid in a world of artists where she was the only woman of color, and taught according to her convictions, Leah might not be where she is today. “Miss Andrea,” is what she was lovingly called by her many students, and they all brought an immeasurable happiness to her, and she selflessly gave of her spirit and her art to each and every one of them. She began the artistic careers of many young dancers.

With extreme grievous sadness, we learned that our mother suffered a severe ischemic stroke in 2022. This stroke rendered her both unable to move her right side, as well as unable to speak. Jumping in to assist her in any way possible, Leah spent the next three years working tirelessly to help her with her recovery and medical care. Unfortunately, the damage that was done during this severe stroke, coupled with previous smaller strokes that she survived, caused her body to be too weak to recover. On November 6, 2025, our mother’s spirit left her earthly vessel and she passed peacefully in her sleep. While our family is extremely devastated distraught and emotionally heart-wrenched that she is no longer here with us on this Earth, we are finding peace knowing that her suffering, frustration, pain and confusion is no longer a burden to her. She can rest, and we continue to pray for her spirit to now find joy, that she could never find while here. She is free. 

More information to come on Andrea's Official Obituary which will be coming soon. Thank you all for your beautiful love and support of our family.   We deeply appreciate all of you.

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