Lisa S. Thomas

Lisa Sherill-Miller Thomas was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 27th, 1966. She went home to be with God October 31st, 2024. Lisa Sherill Miller-Thomas’s light and legacy is the Lords’ eternal blessing her family now embraces. Lisa’s loss is incomprehensible but we as her family are comforted that Lisa is with her heavenly creator.

Lisa Sherill Miller-Thomas and her adoring mother Rita Miller left Columbus when Lisa was a small child making their way to sunny Southern California seeking a better life, settling in Van Nuys, California where Lisa attended Hazeltine Elementary School. Lisa from a small child loved to learn and enjoyed school, even as a small child Lisa’s curiosity and love of arts and science would become an intricate part of Lisa’s life. Lisa Miller-Thomas was a Los Angeles Unified School District junior and high school graduate, she continued her education earning a Certified Medical Assistance license. Lisa despite life’s curves made ‘lemonade out of lemons,’ she was a super nova with a smile that gave hope to all. Southern California is home to film and television and Lisa’s artistic light and talent provided Lisa entry and access Lisa made life long entertainment friends who thoroughly adored Lisa’s earthy persona. Whatever Lisa’s employment/gigs Lisa Miller-Thomas was genuine and caring, Lisa lived her life to be of service to all. In California Lisa met the love of her life who would become her husband-John Thomas, John and Lisa married July 26, 1997.

No words can accurately describe what Lisa meant to those who loved her. Lisa’s faith in God always manifested in caring and love of others, Lisa was a selfless daughter, niece, mother and friend who lived by the mantra of caring for others often putting others first. Lisa wanted so little, but gave her all to others. Ask Lisa what her greatest accomplishment in life was, she would proudly answer, “Being a mom and soon a grandma,” Lisa’s singular joy were her sons Kalyn and Sean, Lisa loved them fiercely as a ‘Boy Mom,’ Lisa raised two amazing Black men that loved, adored and above all protected their beloved mother.

Lisa enjoyed fine dining with her Aunt Pat and ‘the girlfriends,’ she loved to cook and entertain. Lisa was an incredible domestic ‘creator’ that loved interior design and prided herself on keeping an immaculate home. Lisa’s was an artisan whose visionary flair always came through in all that she did. Lisa and her crew loved the “Girls Trip” excursions that always concluded in laughter and memories.

Lisa will forever remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind. Lisa Miller-Thomas is proceeded in death by her father, Patrick Barris Sr. (2020), husband John Thomas (2005), brothers David Barris (1971) and Roderick Barris (2023). Lisa Miller-Thomas leaves behind to cherish her memory, mother Rita Barris, sons Kalyn (Niki) Miller and Sean (Sam) Thomas, aunt Patricia, brothers Patrick Barris Jr and Kenya Barris, sisters Porche Barris and Colette Barris, niece Jasmin Sanchez and a host of cousins and loved ones.