Thelma Margarite Pinder

Thelma Margarite Pinder peacefully passed from this life on January 9, 2015, at her residence at St. Dominic Village in Houston, Texas. She was born November 1, 1927, in De Quincy, Louisiana, to Lawrence and Rita Le Blanc and was the fourth of nine children.

Thelma graduated from De Quincy High School in 1945. She married her high school sweetheart, LJ Pinder on December 21, 1945, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

After graduation, Thelma attended trade school where she learned secretarial skills. Later those skills served her and LJ when they were both instrumental in opening the St. Francis of Assisi Federal Credit Union in service to their parish.

Thelma and LJ ran a real estate business in Houston for many years to help provide affordable housing to an area under-served by existing financial agencies.

Thelma was an active member of her parish ministries, serving in the Catholic Daughters of Americas as Regent. She also served as an Extra Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lector, Altar Society, North West Deanery and member of the St. Rose of Lima Thursday Club. Thelma was also instrumental in establishing the Rambling Roses Travel Club.

Thelma had a great love for the clergy and religious of the church and regularly contributed to charitable organizations for their care as well as to other Catholic-based charities.

Thelma loved gardening. She and LJ created flower boxes at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and devoted many hours to the care and arrangements of the church's flowers. She was also honored in receiving the "Yard of the Month" in her neighborhood for her care and colorful landscaping arrangements.

Thelma also love to sing. She regularly performed with church choirs at St. Francis of Assisi and later at St. Rose of Lima.

Thelma was preceded in death by her loving husband, LJ, of 44 years in 1989. She was also preceded in death by her son, Brian, who died at only four months of age in 1959 and her granddaughter, Christina Bruner, daughter of Janis, in 1970. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Elton and Lawrence Le Blanc.

Thelma is also survived by her children David Pinder, Janis Hatcher, Joyce Williams, Susie Mitchell and Ken Nelson. She is also survived by her brother James Le Blanc and sisters Ethel Palma, Mercedes Pierson, Marian Kimball, Rita Joyce Aucoin and Mary Agnes Sliman. Thelma is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren.

In addition to family and friends she leaves cherished long-time friend and confidant, Eddie Meshchwitz.