Cary Lea Thomas, affectionately known to all as Carebear, was the life of every party she graced with her presence. Born on July 18, 1978, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the very place she first said hello to this world until her last day on November 9, 2024. To Cary, life was a stage, and she played every part with excitement, laughter, and a smile that drew people to her like moths to a flame.

The queen of jokes and the one whose laughter filled every room, Cary could quote Kesha better than anyone and truly believed The party dont start ''til I walk in. And start it did-every single time. Cary was not just the loud one in the room; she was the heartbeat, the warmth, and the smile that made everyone feel at home. She was the caregiver, the savior of the family, and the friend who made every burden a little lighter with her boundless humor and her knack for turning frowns upside down.

Her family was her pride and joy, and she was their sunshine. Cary was the beloved daughter of Gary and Theresa Malone, the ringleader of her siblings-Linda (Brian) Carr, Gary (Carrie) Malone, Robert (Marsha) Young, Michelle Waterbury, and she held a special place in her heart for her brother Raymond "Bubby" Young, who predeceased her. Her children-Tre (Rachel) Adkins, Gregory (Kyileen) Adkins, Nathan (Cecalie) Adkins, Mariah (Micahl) Adkins, Ashley (Barri) Ellis, and Londyn Cummings-were the stars in her vast universe. And as a Mimi, she showered her grandchildren-Hannah, Chase, Ella, Addison, Olivia, Jayden, Wyatt, Landon, Adrian, Logan, Dax, and Donavan-with love and laughter, teaching them that life is best met with a joke and a smile.

Cary never needed a microphone to be heard, and she wasn''t shy about sharing her love or her opinions. She loved everyone unconditionally and was everyone''s biggest cheerleader, whether you were family, friend, or a stranger who looked like they could use a boost. Her kindness was as legendary as her wit, and she was always the first to offer a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, or a perfectly timed remark to lift your spirits.

She wasn''t just relentlessly herself; she was relentlessly there for everyone else. Cary didn''t have endless resources, but she gave everything she had to help others. If there was a dark situation, Cary was the beacon of light guiding you out, often with a joke in tow because, as she''d say, Ifyoucanlaughatit,youcanlivethroughit.

Cary''s legacy is one of love, laughter, and selflessness-a trifecta that made her a force of nature. Her absence leaves a silence that is profoundly felt, but her spirit lives on in the stories that will be told and retold, each one punctuated with the kind of laughter that Cary would insist on. She was easy to love because her heart was as open as her door, and her capacity to care was as vast as her capacity to make you double over in laughter.

The world was Cary''s stage, and she played every part with a warmth and authenticity that made her not just the center of attention but the center of affection. She was the kind of person who left an imprint on your heart, a mark made of kindness, thoughtfulness, and a selflessness that is all too rare. Cary Lea Thomas, our beloved Carebear, was one of a kind, and while the curtain may have closed on her final act, the encore will resound in our hearts forever.