Marcia "Marcie" Thomas

Equable and calm to the end, Marcia “Marcie” Miller Thomas, age 92, passed peacefully at Summa Health Hospice Care Akron on August 23, 2026 a short two miles from where she and her husband of nearly 68 years made their first apartment home on Murray Avenue.

Marcia Ann Miller was born December 13, 1933 in Wheeling, West Virginia to John Ray and Florence Roe Miller of Georges Run, Ohio. Raised in the rhythm of the steel mill town and the steady flow of the Ohio River, her parents valued family, education and community.

As a Mount Union College freshman on a football cheering wagon, she met junior and future husband Paul Thomas of Alliance. She graduated from Mount Union College in 1955 in elementary education.

She taught second grade in Steubenville and Akron and married Paul in 1956. They bought their first home on Pleasant Place in Alliance where they raised their three daughters, eventually relocating two blocks away to Crestview Avenue when they needed more space.

She is survived by three daughters and three sons-in-law: Leigh Ann Douglas (Brian) of Zionsville, Ind.; Karen Thomas (Mark Hensley) of Florence, MA; Linda Wood (Steve) of Kent; seven grandchildren: Allison Thommen of Clermont, FL; Laura Douglas of Oakland, CA, Craig Douglas of Pflugerville, TX, Harper Wood of Kent, Clara Wood of Canton, Breanna and Lila Hensley of Florence, MA; and three great-granddaughters, Aurora, Aubree and Briar.

She also leaves her sisters, Ellen Sol (Bill) of Alliance and Grace Curlee of Post Falls, Idaho; niece, Jill Chapman Battershell (Phil) and her family in the Cleveland area; niece, Elizabeth Sol Wellington of Denver, CO; as well as many more nieces, nephews, their children and families.

In addition to her parents and two brothers, she was predeceased by Paul in 2024.

Throughout her adult life she shared her teaching skills through Brownie and Girl Scout troop leadership, teaching Sunday School and vacation Bible School and later, endless hours on the floor playing with grandchildren.

Marcie was above all selfless, patient, resilient, steady, content, humble and a follower of Christian principles. She treated everyone with the same kindness and grace expecting nothing in return, instinctively living by the Golden Rule: “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.”

Marcie was active in community organizations including many leadership roles with Alpha Chi Omega Sorority (Alumnae Chapter and House Corporation President for many years), First Christian Church (Christian Education Committee and Choir), Alliance Garden Club, Postscript and Jaycettes.

Always the navigator, Marcie led her and Paul’s travels to Australia, England, Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, the Caribbean as well as frequent trips to New Jersey, Indiana and Massachusetts to visit their daughters’ growing families. She and Paul cherished time spent with Paul’s sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Chuck Chapman, and Marcie’s sister and brother-in-law, Ellen and Bill Sol.

Mount Union remained a big part of her and Paul’s lives as they enjoyed attending Mount Union sports and activities with Mount friends. She also treasured friends from Mingo Junction, Ohio, the breakfast club at Pancho’s, First Christian Church, the Pleasant Place and Crestview Avenue neighborhoods, and Tallmadge Danbury Senior Living.

She enjoyed needlecrafts, reading, puzzles, flowers, crosswords, hot black tea, fresh summer tomatoes, life savers and ice cream. She did not like gossip, cats, black licorice or bananas and would not have liked the attention on her through this long obituary. Her mind was sharp to the end.

The family invites you to join in any part of a joyful celebration of her life on Saturday, August 29th, visiting from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. and service at 11:00 A.M. at First Christian Church 1141 W. Beech Street, Alliance followed by lunch provided by First Christian Church; entombment at 2:00 PM at Highland Memorial Park, 264 S. 12th St, Beloit, Ohio. Livestream is available for the visiting and service.

In keeping with Marcie’s inclination to help others, if you would like to give a donation in her name, the family recommends Michael’s World or the Alliance Community Pantry.