Theresa Pearl Thomas

Theresa Pearl Thomas passed at the age of 65, in Akron, Ohio February 15, 2026. She was born in Dayton, Ohio on August 12th, 1960 to her mother, Alma Jacqueline Crabtree and her father, Andrew Lee Middlebrooks.

Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Theresa in her life would say she was absolutely a ray of light and strong character. She was able to relate and talk to anyone and loved it. She had a long life and career of taking care of people. She was a nurse aid in Dayton, OH for 7 years at Hospice of Dayton, as well as a social worker at Crossroads for multiple years. She worked at Lucas County children services for 10 years, Rescue Crisis for 8 years, and worked at two different hospice facilities as a social worker, including Assurance Health System for 4 years and First Health Hospice for 2 years. Theresa attended Owens Community College for her nurse’s aid degree, and then attended The University of Toledo for both of her masters: in Criminal Justice and Social Work, that her and her family were very proud of.

Theresa loved to care for others and spoil her family. She hosted large warm and loving holiday dinners with more presents than you could imagine, even in hard years for her daughters, son, husband, grandchildren, and son-in-law. Her home was always a place people could come home to feel safe, fed, and welcomed. She believed in celebrating everything, including accomplishments and even small victories, because she thought life was meant to be cherished. She loved deeply and openly bragged and talked about her family often, especially her two daughters. She believed when you love someone you always show up for them and care for them when they need it, even when she was tired, even when she took care of them over herself. She loved to care for others.

In addition to her parents, Theresa was preceded by her husband, Roderick Thomas; sister, Patricia “Patty” Terry; and brother, Paul Hatley Sr. She is survived by her daughters, Alexis Wilt (Peter) and Lena Thomas, both of Akron; son, David Crumbly of Toledo, OH; grandchildren Peter Thomas-Wilt, Alexander Thomas-Wilt, and Jasmine Thomas-Wilt; brothers, Bill Marshall (Angeline) of Jefferson, GA, Jessie Hatley (Valeria) of Springville, AL, Bill Dan Terry of Winder, GA, and Tony Middlebrooks of Dayton, OH.

She is also survived by her two very close friends she’s always considered family, Harold Hagwood (Carmen) of Dayton, OH, and Cecilia (Janie) Battista.

There will be a memorial service held on Saturday March 14, 2026 at 11 a.m. with open invitation to all family members and friends at the Eckard Baldwin Funeral Home and Chapel 760 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44305 wit Pastor Ron Shultz officiating..

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