Vickie Lynn Land

Our beloved mother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend, Vickie Lynn Land, age 61, of Benton went home to her heavenly father this past Sunday, after a long progressive illness following Guillain-Barre syndrome and sarcoidosis. She was saved, had made peace with the Lord and was eager to be united once more in eternal life with her father, Faber Thomas and brother, Dickie Thomas. Vickie was a hard working single mother who dedicated her life to providing for her children. Born in Malvern on February 17, 1953, Vickie was the second of five children born to Faber and Bennie Thomas. After graduating from Benton High School in 1971, Vickie worked at Bell Telephone Company, soon after she met her husband, and had two children. She was happy and content in her life as a stay at home mom but God had other plans. Life threw her a curve ball and her marriage fell apart. These were hard times in her life, but with the support of family and friends she persevered amazingly. Vickie was always a people person. She was social, fun and the life of the party, making waitressing and bartending a perfect fit for a career. She threw herself into a restaurant career that she loved and that allowed her to support her family. Throughout her three decade career in the restaurant business, she worked at some of the best establishments in Little Rock; Bennigan's, Bobbisox, Cajun's, Hogs Breath, Pappy's, Cross Eyed Pig, and for 15 years as a bartender at The Faded Rose (Rebsamen Park). She loved her customers and they loved her. No matter what life threw at Vickie, she stayed positive, funny and determined to enjoy life on her own terms. This funny, witty, outgoing, free spirited lady will forever be missed by the family she leaves behind: her two children, Mandi Mitchell (Mike), Lance Land (Jayme) and four grandchildren Bailey, Ben, Madison and Brad Mitchell, all of Benton; sisters, Kay Spears (Ralph) of Benton and Patsy Sky-Eagle (Danny) of Jenks, Okla.; brother, Mike Thomas of Benton, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family would like to invite friends to a celebration of Vickie's life at a memorial service Saturday March 29 at 10 a.m. at Highland Heights Baptist Church at 1421 Alcoa Road in Benton with Frank Green officiating. "Our lives are better left to chance. I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance."-Garth Brooks. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established at the Bank of Ozarks c/o Vickie Land.