THOMAS, Elizabeth Ann

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 04/04/2006 Elizabeth Ann Whitt Thomas, 47, returned to Heavenly Father Monday, March 27, 2006. A resident of American Fork, Utah, Elizabeth died from complications of a pulmonary infection, after a valiant year-long fight against leukemia. Elizabeth received her B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Brigham Young University and a Masters in Elementary Science Education and Instructional Technology from the University of Virginia. From 1989 to 1998, she taught second through fourth grade at Clark Elementary in Charlottesville, Virg. During those years, she received numerous national honors and awards including: the Phi Beta Kappa "Outstanding Educator for Central Virginia," the Northern Life "Education's Unsung Heroes" Award, the 1997 National Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, and the Virginia Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Award. From 1998 until 2005, Elizabeth taught at Sharon Elementary in Orem, Utah and Barrett Elementary in American Fork, Utah. During those years she was awarded many grants and received the Utah's Science Teacher Association Award for Outstanding Science Educator. She also created and directed a national award-winning science outreach program for inner city children. She authored many educational grants, developed state educational curricula and assessment measures, and greatly enjoyed being a state science presenter for Utah's CORE Academy. Through her natural teaching abilities and delight in the miracles and wonders of science, Elizabeth touched countless students' lives in helping them discover a love of the natural world. Elizabeth enjoyed painting with watercolors and creating works of art. She loved the outdoors and could be frequently found bike riding, hiking and backpacking. Elizabeth was a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many church callings. She especially loved working with the Primary children and sharing her musical talents with them. She was an accomplished pianist throughout her life. Elizabeth was a devoted visiting teacher and fellowshipped dear friends. Elizabeth is survived by her cherished son, Dallas Taylor Perkins of Provo, Utah; her husband, Karl W. Thomas; her parents, Kenneth Wayne and Eva Ann Decker Whitt of Snowflake; her immediate family, Stephen Roy and Karen Whitt of Reston, Virg., Kathryn and Lance Kaczorowski of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Samuel Wayne and Tracy Whitt of Raleigh, N.C., Deidra and James Lovegren of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Scott Nicolas and Karen Whitt of Sandy, Utah; and her in-laws Jack and JoAnn Thomas of Provo, Utah. She was loved by her many nieces and nephews who will miss her intelligence, generosity, kindness and creativity. Her family would like to acknowledge the doctors and nurses and LDS Hospital for their expertise and kindness to Elizabeth. Services were held April 4 at the American Fork 12th Ward Chapel, American Fork, Utah. Elizabeth will be interred at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, Thursday, April 6 at 12 p.m. Owens Mortuary of Snowflake is handling the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences, visit www.owensmortuary.com.