September 3, 2016

Funeral for Sara Ann Thompson Weiss, 86 , of Alexandria, La., were Wed., Sept. 7, at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Alexandria, La., at 11 a.m., officiated by Susan Cauley, Emmanuel Baptist Church Associate Pastor for Congregational Care.

A graveside service was at the City Cemetery in Lincoln Alabama, where she will rest beside her beloved husband and other family members in the family plot.

Mrs. Weiss died Sat., Sept. 3, 2016 in Alexandria, La. She was born Nov. 25, 1929, to Lola and William Thompson in Falkville. She was preceded in death by two older siblings, Glen and John. In 1949 she obtained her undergraduate degree in Education from The University of Alabama and later completed graduate studies at George Peabody College for Teachers (now part of Vanderbilt University) and Valparaiso University. In 1951, she married the love of her life, John T. Weiss. They were happily married for 58 years until his passing in 2009.

A lifelong avid gardener, she was named a master judge and landscape design critic by the National Council of State Garden Clubs following rigorous horticulture studies. She also served in many positions on the local and state level, including Alexandria Garden Club president (1979-81), district director for the eighth district, state parliamentarian, and first and second vice president. In 1997, she was installed and served a two-year term as the state president for the Louisiana Garden Club Federation.

Mrs. Weiss was also involved in various community organizations, including Tri Kappa and the Junior League. She served on the state board of Girl Scouts and worked with children to improve reading skills. She was a longtime member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She was beloved as a mother, grandmother and friend who had such a gentle grace and kindness.

She is survived by her two children, David and Susan; daughter-in-law, Kathy Yorke Weiss; three grandchildren, Lauren, John and William Weiss; and future son-in-law, Matthew Anderson.

Pallbearers were her grandsons John Weiss and William Weiss, Matthew Anderson, Tyler Andrews, Floyd Andrews and Fred Tarver.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all her caregivers, and especially to Renee Andrews, Chris Gray, Nikki Sanders and Ashley Wallett, for their love, dedication and compassion.