MEREDITH LYNN THOMAS, 20, of Denton, passed from this life on Wednesday June 6, 2007 at Denton Regional Medical Center. Starrett Funeral Home will conduct a service in memory and celebration of her life at 2:00 p.m. Saturday June 9, 2007 in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mike Atkins, Rev. Mike Fortenberry and Rev. David Rucker officiating. Interment will follow in the Sylvan Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Meredith was born February 27, 1987 in Paris, a daughter of Billy and Kelly McAllister Thomas. She was a 2005 graduate of North Lamar High School, where she was class Salutatorian, played basketball and volleyball. An avid, determined student, she was continuing her studies at the University of North Texas, Denton, where she was devoted fully to her studies in pursuit of an accounting degree, even while working full time at Denton First State Bank. She was loved by her banking family, who were among her greatest supporters. She had a special way of touching people’s hearts, and was a ray of sunshine. Meredith had many interests and avocations, among which was her leadership as a Red Cross Lifeguard, Texas U.I.L. competition, gymnastics at Paris School of Gymnastics and was the winner of many medals in State Competition and many academic honors and awards. She was a member of the East Paris Baptist Church.

She is survived by her mother, Kelly Lyon and husband Tim, of Paris; her father, Billy Thomas, of Blossom; two sisters, Jordan Leigh Thomas, of New London, CT and Catherine Grace Thomas, of Blossom; grandparents Jack and JoAnn McAllister, of Paris, Craig and Linda Avery, of Cordova, TN, and C.A. “Red” and Valerie Dempsey, of Paris, and Margie Lyon, of Paris; her great-grandmother, Nan Anderson, of Cordova, TN; aunts and uncles Lisa McAllister, of Paris, Randy McAllister, of Farmersville, Livia Thomas, of Castro Valley, CA, Angie and Warren Pattison, of Tampa, FL, Kevin and Laura Woodroof, of San Jose, Costa Rica, and Scott and Kristin Avery, of Abilene; a great-uncle, Mike Anderson, of Paris; cousins Austin Strube, Sara Strube, Allison Strube, Bailie McAllister and Nicole Anderson; and a special friend Jonathan Jackson, of Powderly.

She was preceded in death by a grandfather, J.B. Thomas; by three great-grandmothers, Edith Harris, Gladys Thomas and Thelma McAllister; and a great-grandfather, Ray Anderson.

Named to serve as pallbearers will be Austin Strube, Timothy Carpenter, Jason Jeter, Jonathan Jackson, Randy McAllister, and Jason Buchovecky.

If desired, memorial gifts may be given to the Lamar County chapter of the American Red Cross, 2673 North Main, Paris, TX 75460, or the North Lamar Education Foundation, 3201 Lewis Lane, Paris, TX 75462.