Thelma Marie Oostveen

Born: September 9, 1927

Died: April 13, 2016

Thelma Marie Oostveen (Starkes) passed away on April 13, 2016 after a brief illness. Today we can rejoice as Thelma has passed peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus. No more hurt. . . no more suffering. . . no more pain. Because we know today she is with the Lord. “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4: 7-8.

Thelma Marie Oostveen (Starkes) was born September 9, 1927 in Malakoff, Henderson County, Texas to Andrew Calvin Starkes and Audie Thelma Starkes (Gibson). She graduated Valedictorian from Cross Roads School in Malakoff, Texas.

Upon graduation, Thelma moved to Dallas, Texas to join her sister, Ida Starkes. She went to work for Sears Roebuck in the Accounting Department where she would work until retirement many years later. She used to ride the old street car line on Gaston Ave. to get to work.

While in Dallas, she met and married Gerald (Jerry) Morrill Oostveen on January 31, 1952. They bought a small house on Holt Dr. in Dallas, Texas. From that union came one son, Gary Andrew Oostveen. She was a faithful member of Lochwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.

In 1976, Thelma and Jerry moved to Benton, Arkansas and settled just outside of town on a property with a fairly large lot. They both decided they needed to “farm” it and concentrated on growing vegetables. They would both work all day, then come home and work their garden until dark with both of their beloved dachshunds, Gina and LD, with them. Those were happy times in Arkansas.

Upon Jerry’s death in 1984, Thelma moved back to Dallas and settled close to her sister, Ida. She continued to work for Sears Roebuck until retirement in 1991.

Upon retirement from Sears, Thelma began volunteering with White Rock Center of Hope. She worked at the Center for several years doing whatever needed to be done to serve families in need. It was her way of honoring Christ and giving back to the community. She joined Ferguson Road Baptist Church and was a faithful member making many friends there.

In 1995, Thelma began another adventure by moving to the small West Texas City of San Angelo to be close to her son, Gary Oostveen, daughter in law, Becky Oostveen, and grandchildren Justin Oostveen and Emily Oostveen. She lived many years in San Angelo. Living all her life 1st in East Texas, then the large city of Dallas, she really enjoyed living in West Texas with the dry climate, slower pace of living and down home West Texas attitude. She loved being so close to her extended family that included not only her son and his family but also Becky’s extended family. She was a faithful member of Southland Baptist Church, San Angelo. She especially treasured the relationship she had with Becky’s maternal grandmother, Mattie Lee Wigley.

In 2011, Thelma again moved to Lewisville, Texas to be close to her son, Gary, and daughter in law, Becky. She moved to a Senior Living complex and became active within the community making many friends. She was very active in a group of local Christians that formed a Sunday School there for the residents.

Thelma is survived by one son, Gary A. Oostveen and daughter in law, Becky Oostveen, of Lewisville, Texas, grandson Justin Oostveen of Lewisville, Texas and granddaughter Emily Oostveen, of Versailles, Kentucky. Additionally she is survived by her sister and brother in law, Jo and Bob Barringer of Lindale, Texas and her brother and sister in law, Ervin and Edith Starkes of Arp, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Oostveen and sister, Ida Nall (Starkes) as well as both her parents, Andrew and Audie Starkes.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staffs at Denton Regional Medical Center and the Hospice Unit at Baylor Carrollton for the love and support they showed our Mom during her brief stay with them. The family would also like to express a special thank you to Linda McNeil, Thelma’s part time caregiver and good friend during the last year. Linda truly brightened Thelma’s day with her unwavering love and devotion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gospel Vision Foundation, 2025 W. Beauregard, San Angelo, Texas 76901 or the charity of your choice.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, April 18, 2016 at Grove Hill Funeral Home with Burial at Gove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75228. Visitation will be from 10:00AM to 11:30AM with Graveside Service to follow.