Amari Hope Thompson

Amari Hope was born on February 15, 1999, to Hollie Pugh and Shawn Thompson in Columbus, Ohio. Amari attended Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS) as well as Early College Academy (ECA). An extremely smart girl, Amari excelled in school but was unable to complete her final coursework due to multiple bouts of sickle cell illness.

Amari was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, John and Legertha Mitchell; paternal grandmother, Mary Shannon; and her loving uncle, Shane Riggins.

Amari Hope had a heart for children like her mother. She has always been the face and purpose behind A Mother’s Heart. Amari worked hand-in-hand with her mom at A Mother’s Heart Childcare Program out of their home. She loved to see the smiles on the faces of the children in their care. Amari was named “The Sleeper.” When it was naptime, Amari would hold them in her arms and they went right to sleep with no fussing. Even when Amari was tired or didn’t feel well, she still wanted to see the kids or help with them. Amari’s heart was huge and filled with love.

At the age of 6, Amari gave her life to Christ. She cherished her time in church. Even through the most painful times, she found comfort in her relationship with God. On any given Sunday, you could find Amari teaching her junior church class for ages 3 to 8. Through her love of God and her heart for children, Amari had a special way of teaching that made the Word come to life, and this excited the kids.

Growing up, Amari was a part of the GFT Mime and Dance team. No matter how hard practice was for her, she always pushed through the pain to minister to the people. In her younger years, Amari was a cheerleader for the Eastland Vikings cheer squad. Even though her body wouldn’t allow her to dance or cheer consistently, she still coached her sisters and motivated them to dance and cheer. Amari wanted to help everyone with whatever she could, especially when it came to children.

You could find Amari at any moment, whether at home or in the hospital, watching Moana, Harry Potter, or Hercules. She was definitely a Disney baby. After years of watching her mother advocate for her, Amari learned how to become her own advocate and made sure she received the care she deserved. Even from her hospital bed, Amari brought love and light to everyone she encountered. In the end, Amari won her fight with Sickle Cell Disease after fighting so hard for so long. No more pain, no more tears. She has received her reward.

Amari leaves to cherish her precious memory: her mother, Hollie (Peter) Pugh; father, Shawn Thompson; sisters, Ayannah Thompson, Anisa Mitchell, Anaya Mitchell, and Mariah Thompson; brother, Isaiah Thompson; cousins who were more like siblings, Jacob (Ashley) Holloway IV, P. Joy (Cedric) Bohannon, Markus Mitchell, Joshua (Tiani) Riggins, Sierra Ellis, Tasha Thompson, and Sasha Thompson; godparents, Danielle Dalton, Sydney Humphries, Keith and Ruby Edwards, Lorelle Moore, and Normea Banner; best friends forever, life and death, or “BFFLAD,” Nyla Holloway and Niaja Collins; special aunts, Joanne Thompson, Rita (Jacob) Holloway, Paulette Mitchell, Alice Riggins, and Tanya Holloway; uncles, Sherrod Thompson and Troy Shannon; special grandparent, Anita Dawson; and a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends.

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