Dao Thi (Le) Holley

Dao Holley Thompson passed away on July 21, 2024. Although it pains us to lose such a wondrous person, we’re so grateful that we got to spend three more years with her after her late-stage lung cancer diagnosis in 2021. She left the physical world with no regrets and in the presence of her son, John, and grandchildren.

Dao was predeceased by her three husbands, Sam, Manny, and Jack, and two of her sons, David and Jimmy.

Dao was born in a small village in southern Vietnam. She came to the U.S. in 1972, moving around a few times before settling in Fayetteville, NC for over 40 years. While raising her four sons, she worked service industry jobs during the day and took English language classes at night. She later owned and managed two successful small businesses: an Asian restaurant, Fortune Cookie, and a sewing and alterations shop, Holley’s Sewing Shop. After retiring, she always kept two sewing machines with her to commemorate the hard work that eventually helped her thrive.

At about 50, Dao started learning to invest in the stock market alongside her third husband, Jack. She was a prodigy, turning investing into a key source of income that she used to support our family and quietly contribute to philanthropic causes.

Dao's life was filled with tribulations, but she still prevailed in finding joy. She enjoyed praying at home, checking her stocks in the morning, and spending time with her precious family.

Among the many lessons, the one that resounds the most is that no matter how often life hits you, you can keep moving forward with a kind, gracious, loving heart.

Dao was the best example of God’s love that a son could ever hope for. 

Dao is survived by her two remaining sons, John (Candi) and Robert (Yen); daughter-in-law, Tracy; grandchildren, Christian, Jason, Sara, Sam, Oscar, Mira, and Emy; sister-in-law, Jo and family in Virginia; and sister and family in Vietnam. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704
Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513.

Online condolences may be made to www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301.

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