Paula Thomas Obituary

Paula Bevels Thomas departed this life on July 7 th , 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Fayetteville (Lincoln County), Tennessee on September 21, 1956, to the late Joe D. and Pauline Spray Bevels. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, R. Earl Thomas, and her children; Kate (Steph) Thomas, Ben (Laney) Thomas, and Abby Thomas. Also surviving are her sister, Carol Bevels Womack, and niece Claire Womack, uncles Dwight (Becky) Spray and Dwain (Sherry) Spray, several cousins, and many close and beloved friends.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Dale Womack, her nephew, Grant Womack, and aunts Josephine Miller, Dot Partin and Marie Harmening.

Paula spent almost 40 years excelling in her work as an accounting professor at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). She was recognized and chosen by her colleagues and university administration for many things including teaching, research, and service awards, culminating in 2014 with MTSU’s most prestigious award, the Career Achievement Award. Paula was also very active in local, state and national accounting organizations including the Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA), the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and the American Accounting Association (AAA). She held numerous leadership roles in these organizations throughout her career and served as a member of the AICPA Board of Directors. Likely, she would say her crowning achievement is the number of students she mentored now serving as partners and in significant positions in accounting firms across the country.

Paula was active in various community organizations over the years. She was devoted to her church, First United Methodist Church, and served on a number of committees and periodically taught her Sunday School class. She had a calling for Murfreesboro’s Special Kids organization and started running to help raise funds to support their needs. This led to her passion for running at large and ignited her interest in half marathons. She completed over 120 total half marathons, doing at least one in each of the 50 states. She ran approximately half a dozen full marathons including the Boston Marathon in 2013 and 2014.

As Paula “Turns the Page” on this earthly life, your prayers, words, and good thoughts will honor her life. Should you choose to make a memorial donation, please consider Dana Farber Cancer Institute (P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284) or do so for a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be at First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro on Wednesday, July 13 th from 4pm-8pm as well as Thursday, July 14th from 12pm-2pm. Following visitation on July 14 th , there will be a memorial service at 2pm at First United Methodist Church conducted by Reverend Dr. Drew Shelley and Reverend Krislyn Durham. Perhaps an appropriate closing word for the life of Paula Thomas comes from 2 nd Timothy 4:7 “I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I kept the faith.”