Thelma Jewel (Jackson) Rader went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at the age of 92. She is survived by her two daughters, Linda Wallace and Peggy Craft; one son, Michael Rader and his wife, Nancy; 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Norman Rader; her twin brother, Elmer Jackson, three older brothers, Andrew, Harry Lee and G.C. Jackson; and her grandson, Andrew Craft.
She was born to Carlisle and Julia Marie (Lueders) Jackson on October 10, 1926, at their home in the oilfields near Prairie Lea, Texas.
Thelma met the love of her life, Norman Rader, at the wedding of her brother, Harry Lee, to Norman’s sister, Rose. She had just turned 18 when they married on October 29, 1944, in Lockhart, Texas. The couple lived in Corpus Christi, where Norman was serving in the Navy during WWII.
After the Navy, Thelma and Norman moved to San Antonio, where their first child, Linda, was born and later to Houston, where Peggy and Michael were born.
Thelma worked for many years as a billing clerk for Horton & Horton, a ready-mixed concrete company. She later was hired by her friend and neighbor, Charlene Phillips, to work in the accounting department of Japanese-based import company Marubeni, Inc. She was not only a trusted and efficient employee, but soon became a friend and helper to the men who came to Houston from Japan, as well as their families. She retired in 1991.
When her husband, Norman, felt God’s call to minister to the deaf community, Thelma served right beside him with a servant’s heart, unselfish generosity, and a loving spirit, first at Baptist Temple, then at Houston’s First Baptist Church, and finally at Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church.
Thelma enjoyed helping Norman with his numerous craft projects and accompanying him to countless craft shows and sales. Left to herself, she loved working complicated jigsaw puzzles and crocheting afghans, lap robes, and baby blankets, most of which were donated to nursing homes and various charities.
While Norman was the outgoing, in-the-limelight sort of person, Thelma was in the background, quietly doing the selfless, necessary, practical things, like washing the baptism robes and cleaning the church’s refrigerator. Someone once asked her what she did at church, and she replied, “Wash dishes.”
Everyone who knew Thelma recognized her as a strong-willed, independent, and fiercely loyal person. She was a hard worker, unselfish and generous. Strong in her faith, firm in her convictions, she provided an unwavering anchor for those she loved. We can find comfort in knowing that her Savior has welcomed her into Heaven, saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Family and friends gathered and shared memories of this wonderful woman during a visitation on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Waltrip Funeral Directors in Houston, Texas, where funeral services were held in the chapel on Wednesday, November 28th at 10:00 a.m. Reverend Arthur Craig, officiated. Graveside services and interment followed at 3:00 p.m. in the Cistern Public Cemetery, Cistern Texas.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:
The Cocama Project Water Well Fund,
P.O. Box 1502
Richmond, TX, 77406
A note from Sam Nicholson, of the Cocama Project:
Sorry to hear the news but glad to know you are secure in expecting to be reunited with her one day. And thanks for thinking of the water project. Your mom’s contributions have done wonderful things to help our jungle neighbors have clean water and I am sincerely grateful for her selfless giving. (She provided funding for 3 wells.)
(For more information see their website at http://www.cocamaproject.org/ )
KHCB Christian Radio,
2424 South Blvd.
Houston, TX, 77098
