DOVER - Catherine Mears Thomas, of Dover, died Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010, at the Hospice Center in Milford. She was 52 years old. Mrs. Thomas was born June 17, 1958, in Accomac, Va. to William Floyd Mears and Nora Bromley Mears. She is a 1976 graduate of Onancock High School and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Longwood College in Farmville, Va. Mrs. Thomas was a teacher for 22 years in Accomack County Public Schools, Accomac, Va. For 20 of those years, she taught Health and Physical Education at Arcadia High School. In addition to her teaching, she coached volleyball and girls' basketball at the school. Her volleyball teams won numerous conference titles and advanced to the Virginia High School league regional and state championships. Mrs. Thomas and her family lived in Somerset County, Md. for 5 years prior to relocating with her husband to Dover 2002. In Dover, she taught Physical Education and Health at Dover High School in Capital School District for 6 years. She was a member of Zion Baptist Church in Parksley, Va. Through her enjoyment of sports and recreation, she was a lifelong participant in adult women's volleyball and softball in Virginia. Going to the beach, traveling to destinations with her husband and close friends, and reading a good novel were several of her most enjoyable activities. In recent years, she enjoyed playing golf with her husband. She is survived by her parents, William and Nora Mears of Accomac, Va; her husband of 26 years, Dr. Michael Thomas, Superintendent of Schools, Capital School District; two sons, Brandon M. Thomas and wife, Sarah, of Magnolia, and Colin M. Thomas of Dover; brother, William Thomas Mears and wife, Laura, of Berlin, Md.; brother-in-law, Larry Thomas and wife, Laura, of Onley, Va.; mother-in-law, Victoria Thomas of Temperanceville, Va.; two grandchildren, Taylee Thomas and Isaac Thomas; nephews, Thomas Davis Mears and William Adams Mears; niece Tara Thomas, nephews Jacob and Tyler Thomas; her friends and co-workers, Marlene Harmon and Dee Anderson Blackman and many others. A celebration of her life will be 2 p.m, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010 at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, (Route 10), Dover. Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in memory of Catherine Thomas to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, 165 Commerce Way, Dover, DE 19904. Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at torbertfuneral.com.