Merdis Thomas-Parr

Funeral Services will be held on 

Saturday September 22,2018

Gaines Funeral Home 

5386 Lee Rd 

Wake 6:00 pm

Funeral services 6:30 pm 

Merdis Deloris Thomas was born to Lenora and William Thomas on March 14th, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Merdis attended Herron Hill Jr. High School and graduated from Fifth Avenue Senior High School where she was a member of an all girls club. Merdis accepted the Lord as her personal Savior and was baptized at an early age. She attended the Macedonia Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, under the leadership of Rev. James Robinson. Miss Thomas went on to further her education at St. Augustine College of Nursing in Raleigh, NC. Merdis graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in September of 1952. Merdis was gifted with a beautiful voice and found great joy in singing. At the young age of ten, she won a first place award in singing. By the age of 12, Merdis regularly sang on a local radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a teenager, the songbird sang with the Fred Everette Band. Miss Thomas received her nursing internship in Chicago, Illinois. Here she became a backup singer for Larry Steele with groups called “The Chocolateers” and “The Smart Affair”. After completing her nursing requirements in Chicago, Merdis returned to Pittsburgh to be close to her family and to begin her career in nursing as she continued to sing. While singing at the Flamingo Night Club in Pittsburgh, Merdis met and fell in love with the young and handsome Burrell Parr. They married in 1955 and moved to Cleveland, Ohio to settle down and raise a family. Merdis made the decision to conclude her singing career. Mr. and Mrs. Burrell Parr had two sons: Burrell Parr Jr. and William P. Parr Merdis became a member of the Lee Road Baptist Church in the city of Cleveland and of course she sang in the choir. Merdis acquired her Real Estate License and became a Broker for Issac Haggins Realty Company from 1964 to 1970. Merdis worked as Head Nurse and continued her passion to care for sick until she retired in 2007, after which she continued her nursing duties in the private sector. She finally retired at the blessed age of 86. God has truly blessed and used Merdis through her ministries of song and healing hands. She administered comfort to all who crossed her path. She has been a good and faithful servant and has set a shining example and blazed many trails for those who shall follow in her footsteps. She has become a pillar of her community. Merdis made her transition from this life, to Glory on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at David Simpson Hospice of Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. Merdis was preceded in death by her parents: William and Lenora Thomas. Merdis leaves to cherish her memory: her two sons, Burrell Parr Jr. and William Parr. Seven Grandchildren: Burrell III., Ketrina, Michael, MyKea, Sabrina, Wayne and Amber. Thirteen Great Grandchildren: Tyler, Burrell IV., Madsyn, Madden, Makahla, Kahlen, Kamden, Kaiden, Jerrell, Haven, Cameron, Jordan, and Jaxon. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends, who all loved her and will miss her dearly

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