Thelma Pickett Crump

Thelma Venecia (Pickett) Crump, 82, was born on August 30, 1938, the fifth of seven children to Mary Pearl (Bailey) Pickett and McKinley Pickett in (Bullock County) Mathews, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Ulysses Pickett and Acey Pickett; and her sister Mattie Pickett Feagin.

During her early years, “Doll” as Thelma was called by her family grew up on her father’s farm. She accepted Christ and was baptized at a young age. Thelma loved the Lord and stayed involved in the Church throughout her life as Bible Study Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, and Choir Member.

The kind, intelligent, and poised Thelma excelled academically and willingly tutored other students. She graduated in 1957 as Class Salutatorian from Booker T. Washington High School in Montgomery, AL. Thelma also earned the admiration and respect of her peers and teachers and for that she was crowned Miss Booker T. Washington during her senior year.

Thelma’s educational and public service journey continued beyond high school. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Elementary Education with Distinction from Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL in 1961. While at Alabama State University, Thelma was initiated into the Beta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a Sorority focused on Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service. She later went on to earn a Master of Arts in Higher Education (MA.Ed.) from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Shortly after college graduation in 1961, Thelma married James C. Crump Jr., an Air Force E3 (Airman First Class) and fellow Alabama State University student. To this union a daughter Jocelyn and son James were born. As a military spouse, Thelma called military bases throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Korea her home.

Thelma was a voracious reader & writer, public-school teacher, genealogy researcher, and a talented seamstress & quilter. Most of all, she was a lifelong public servant always willing to help those in need.

Thelma volunteered for many years in the Family Support Group at McClellan Air Force Base (now known as McClellan Business Park) in Sacramento, CA. In her quiet, unassuming way, Thelma worked many hours to ensure that support services and advocacy programs met the needs of McClellan families.

Thelma was recognized with numerous awards for her selfless service, including Volunteer of the Year.

Thelma leaves, to cherish her memory, her husband of 59 years, James C. Crump Jr, Colonel, USAF retired of Folsom, CA; daughter Jocelyn Venecia (Crump) Williams of Katy, TX; son James (Sandy) C. Crump III of Roseville, CA; grandchildren James C. Crump IV and Alyssa Crump of Roseville, CA and RJ Williams II of Katy, TX; brother Freddie J. Pickett of Long Beach, CA; sisters Mary A (Pickett) Sankey of Montgomery, AL and Lula P. (Pickett) Reed of New York, NY as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A memorial service for Thelma will be held Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Mount Vernon Memorial Park, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA. Reception will immediately follow. Interment will be held Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 1:30 p.m. at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA.