Shari Nicole Thomas

Shari Nicole Thomas was born on November 23, 1980, on a wonderful Sunday morning. She came into this world bright-eyed with a head full of bushy hair. She was a beautiful baby who was curious about everything. At an early age we figured out how smart she was and began to challenge her with every brain building games we could find. She was a determined little girl that did not let anything slow her down, from having her bowed legs (that she got from her dad) put in casks for months before she could learn to walk to insufferable allergies which gave her bronchitis and kept her on the nebulizer many days of each week.

It wasn’t long before she started school at a very young age and excelled in all her classes. She started dance classes at a very young age also. She loved to stay busy dancing and tumbling everywhere. She breezed through grade school and on into middle school where she found her love of cheerleading mentored by one of the best cheerleading coaches, Wilma Smith. The Gregory Lincoln Middle School cheerleading squad was an award-winning squad and got to travel to Nationals in California and Florida and compete on a national level while Shari Nicole was part of the squad. This was invaluable experience and she learned about what hard work and dedication can achieve.

Shari went on to High School and joined the Klein Oak Strutters Drill Team which was another national award-winning squad. The dedication and hard work which had already been instilled in her and her love of dance helped her to excel here also. Under the tutelage of Cathy Arellano Shari excelled. She lettered her first year and went on to achieve much success. She thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Strutters and we enjoyed watching her perform week after week at the football games. She always made the dance routines and was able to strut her stuff on the football field.

Shari went on to higher learning at Texas A&M university as a Computer Engineering major. She was also on the power dance squad for 2 years there. She eventually decided the large campus lifestyle was not for her and transferred to Sam Houston State University and graduated Sum Laude with a degree in Computer Science.

Shari explored employment with various companies until she landed a full-time position at Chevron Corporation. From there she knew she was home and excelled in various positions at Chevron. She went on to get a Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University. Her next goal was to become a Safety Engineer. She knew that would require a move to Midland, Texas but being the ambition person that she was, that did not stop her. She obtained the position of Process Safety Engineer and moved to Midland, TX. She was very pleased with her success and looking forward to learning all she could in her new role.

Unfortunately, her life was cut short when God called her home. She will live on in the memories of those she impacted in her short time here on earth.

Shari is preceded in death by her brother, Robert Shorter III, her sister, Traquachia Harrison and her daughter, all her grandparents. I know Shari and her sister are having a blast after being re-united.

A visitation for Shari will be held Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A celebration of life will occur Friday, February 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM. A burial will occur Friday, February 24, 2023 at Brookside Memorial Park.