Muriel Lucretia Thomas CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Muriel Lucretia Thomas, affectionately called "Merle," was born on Feb. 1, 1950, in Chestertown to the late Eleanor and Samuel Ringgold, and passed away March 25, 2010. In 1969 she married the late Richard "Boy" Thomas Sr. and they shared 39 wonderful years together. Muriel was a graduate of Chestertown High School in 1968. She was employed by the same company for 34 years and retired from Verizon in 2002. Muriel was also a past member of Sarah E. Travers, Chapter No. 50 Order of the Eastern Star. Muriel is survived by two sons, Richard Thomas Jr. (Donetta) of Easton, Md., and Brandon Thomas of Baltimore. Her pride and joy where her two grandchildren, Kendall Thomas, Jaylen Thomas, as well as Kaneisha Jackson (step-granddaughter) She was loved by her step-daughter, Shelly. She is survived by Airlee Ringgold Johnson (Hank) of Chestertown, Eleanor Rochelle Ringgold of Silver Spring, Md., and Sherry Lynn Miles (Michael) of Chestertown, Md., and her brother Samuel Ringgold Jr. of Vorhees, N.J. She was dearly loved and will be missed by her mother-in-law, Anna Thomas, sister-in-law Linda Carter, and brother-in-law Bruce Thomas. Other loving family members are her Aunts, Ruth Brisco, Naomi Blackshire, Hester Sewell, Priscilla Ringgold, Addle Ringgold and Uncle Charles (Odessa) Ringgold. Public viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 31, at Bethel AME Church, Chestertown, Md. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, April 1, at Bethel AME Church. Funeral arrangements made by Bennie Smith Funeral Homes.