Brianna Lynn Thomas' Obituary
Our darling daughter, Brianna Thomas, died on May 18, 2026. We are forever changed by this tragic loss.
Bri was born on January 14, 1995, in Houston, Texas, to Sharon Smith. She was adopted by James and Stacy Thomas in 1997 and was raised in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas.
Bri’s generous spirit showed itself early in life. One of many examples is when she was about 8 years old, after receiving her weekly allowance, she and her mother passed a donation table raising money for rescue animals. Without hesitation, Bri put all of her money into the collection jar. Her mother reminded her that she would have no spending money until next week. Bri simply looked at her and said, “But, Mom, there are animals in need!” That was Bri. If she saw someone in need, her first instinct was to help.
Bri was a deeply loving and creative soul who touched many lives with her kindness and generosity. She was so bright, resourceful, and imaginative and made friends easily with her charm, warmth, and genuine interest in others. She also possessed a delightfully wicked and quick sense of humor.
Her creative talents expressed themselves in many forms throughout her life. She studied piano, violin, and guitar, and had a natural gift for singing. She loved gymnastics, dance, photography, candle-making and creating art of all kinds. School came easily to her, and she preferred to devote her energy to the pursuits she loved most, particularly the creative arts.
Bri graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 2013. During high school, she served as a team captain for the Sweethearts drill team, choreographed a performance for her senior dance project, performed with the Variations singing group, and appeared in the Woodrow musical productions each year. She was also a member of the debate team, where her quick wit, verbal talents, and love of spirited discussion found a perfect home.
After high school, Bri attended the University of Texas at Austin and Austin Community College. She earned a degree in graphic design from Austin Community College, where she created many paper and web-based works of art. Her creativity remained a constant throughout her life, and she continued to paint, draw, and create whenever she could.
Bri worked for several years in Austin as a project manager overseeing grants for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts and initiatives designed to make coastal communities safer during severe weather. As a passionate advocate for social justice and helping those in need, she found this work deeply meaningful.
Bri always loved animals and loved spoiling our (and others’) pets. But she found her true love in life in Pillow, the puppy she adopted in 2021. She was a devoted dog-mom from the beginning, lavishing her “sweet baby girl” with toys, treats and fun experiences. Bri was always Pillow’s favorite human.
In the later years of her life, Bri struggled with anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. She was a profoundly empathetic person whose heart often carried the weight of suffering, both her own and that of others. She fought courageously to heal, and many who loved her stood beside her in that fight.
Sadly, despite tremendous effort, Bri's struggles became too much to bear. She succumbed to the catastrophic forces of the terrible diseases of trauma, depression, and addiction and she ended her life.
We may never fully understand all that Bri carried within her, but we know she fought as hard as she could for as long as she could. She loved her family and friends dearly, and never wanted to leave us, but she could not figure out how to stay.
Her death is a tragic loss, for us and for the world. She is missed beyond words and will be loved forever.
Bri is preceded in death by her beloved grandfather “Paw Paw”, Lindsey Smith, her sister, Eliza Thomas, her grandmother, Roberta Smith, and grandfather, John Thomas.
She is survived by her parents, James and Stacy Thomas, and sister Sonora Thomas, and grandmothers “Mimi”, Ethel Smith, and “Grandma Baa”, Hope Thomas. She is also survived by her beloved dog, Pillow, who is now in the care of Bri’s parents.
She is survived by her aunts and uncles: Shirley Smith, Sharon Smith, Lindsey T. Smith, Larry and Cynde Smith, Mitchell and Julie Smith, Robert and Susan Smith, Martha and Ray Quigley, Bill & Ann Thomas, Peter Thomas, Ben & Kate Thomas, and many many cousins.
A service in her memory will be held on Saturday August 1, 2026, at 1pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
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