TALLULAH — Thellis McDonald Lancaster, a resident of Tallulah for 57 years, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. She was 85.

Mrs. Lancaster was born Thellis Omera McDonald in Clarke County, Miss., April 29, 1927, to Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Webster McDonald, and was the youngest of their 11 children. At Mississippi State College for Women, she excelled in drama and earned a bachelor of science degree, majoring in speech with a minor in English. After marrying Donald Lancaster, she eventually moved to Tallulah where they raised their family and she taught English and speech at Tallulah High School for 20 years. Although she recently moved to Baton Rouge, Mrs. Lancaster had been a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Tallulah, the United Methodist Women, and the Town and Country Club, through which she was engaged in many civic activities throughout the years. She was known for her skills in public speaking and drama, her writing talent, her exceptional culinary ability and her love of family and friends.

Mrs. Lancaster was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Benoist Lancaster, of Tallulah. She was also preceded in death by nine of her 10 siblings: Lois McDonald, Lamar McDonald, Irving McDonald, Percy McDonald, Lee McDonald, Ava Tate, Dr. Bonnie McDonald, Elsie McDonald and Edd Reed McDonald.

Mrs. Lancaster is survived by her children: Kent Lancaster, Ava Lancaster, and Lauren Stein; a daughter-in-law, Janet Lancaster; a son-in-law, Dr. Murry Stein; and her grandchildren, Adam Lancaster, Stephen Lancaster and Miriam Stein.

Mrs. Lancaster’s life will be celebrated at First United Methodist Church of Tallulah at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, 2012. Visitation will be held today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Crothers-Glenwood Funeral Home in Tallulah.