‘Everything went with it,’ except the memories: family remembers matriarch killed in fire

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A family is grieving after the matriarch of their family was killed in a fire over the weekend.

Arlyss Thompson, 89, died after a fire broke out at her home on Calvert Drive in Clarksville. Her son was able to make it out alive, according to family members.

Two deputies arrived within minutes, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). The deputies were checked out for heat exposure and smoke inhalation. One of the two deputies was taken to a local hospital. On Monday morning, the MCSO said that the deputy is doing well.

Phyllis Hogg, Thompson’s daughter, said it was hard to see what was left of the home.

“That was our home. That’s my childhood home. Every memory everything,” Hogg said.

On Monday afternoon, Hogg sat in her living room, looking at her Christmas lights. She said it’s how she chose to remember her mom.

“My favorite time when I lived with her for 5 years was Christmas,” Hogg said.

Hogg said she remembered what her mom loved most about this time of year.

“She loved to just sit in her chair or lay on her couch and just watch the lights,” Hogg said. “It was at peace for her.”

Hogg is holding closer to all of her memories.

“The thing I’m going to miss the most is hearing my phone ring and saying ‘Phyllis, it’s your mother' like I didn’t know it was her.”

Hogg wants others to remember her mom for how loving and caring she was.

“When it came to her grandchildren every one of them hung the moon.”

Hogg said she loved each one and spoiled them all.

With six kids, 15 grandkids, 27 great-grandkids, and four great-great-grandkids, Hogg said there was a lot of love to go around.

“Right now it’s a peace for me...It’ll probably stay up until next year you know helps me grieve,” Hogg said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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