Thelma Maxwell Becker, age 96 of LaGrange, Georgia, formerly of Defiance, Ohio, passed away peacefully at Mountainside in Warm Springs, Georgia on December 15, 2023. Thelma was born August 16, 1927, to Robert Jason Maxwell and Flossie Strain Maxwell in Loyal, Oklahoma. Thelma graduated high school in 1945 and was valedictorian of her graduating class. On May 27, 1967, she married Carl Albert Becker in Defiance, Ohio. She was a teacher for ten years in Ohio, having graduated from Defiance College. Thelma and her husband moved to Lake Placid, Florida in 1973. There she spent 15 years volunteering for Manna Ministries. She spent her time gardening, crocheting, fishing on the lake with her husband, singing in the choir, and was a faithful member of her church, Lake Placid United Methodist. She enjoyed traveling to many countries around the world and spent summers traveling around the country towing a camper and was able to visit all 50 states. Of all her travels, she regarded her summers in the camper with the fondest memories. She was a member of the Gideons and Wesley Methodist Church in LaGrange, Georgia. She loved The Ohio State football and rarely missed a game. She touched many lives with her caring and kind demeanor. She was noted to be the Mother Hen of Mountainside in Warm Springs for three and one-half years.
She is survived by her brother, Robert Maxwell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, her brother in law, Jack Hughes of Miller South Dakota, her children, Greg (Judy) Sanford of St. Albans, Missouri, Russ (Carolyn) Sanford of Avon, Indiana, Sue Larkin of LaGrange, Georgia, her two step-children, Greg (Susan) Becker of Dunnellon, Florida and Diana Tennison of Nashville, Tennessee. Thelma leaves behind 13 grandchildren: Jill Smith, Debby Bade, Emily Barlow, Jared Sanford, Zach Sanford, Isaac Sanford, Gabe Larkin, Leah Selbie, Jason Tennison, Natalie Pentecost, Jeffrey Becker, Blake Becker, Brian Becker, and 16 great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, step-son Jeffery William Becker, one sister Leona Hughes and one brother, William Maxwell.
Funeral arrangements are at Striffler Hamby Mortuary, Tuesday December 19, 2023. The family will receive visitors at 10:00 am followed by a service at 11:00. Interment will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens immediately after.
The following family members will serve as pallbearers: David Selbie, Jared Sanford, Tim Smith, Gabe Larkin, Debby Bade and Jason Tennison
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wesley Methodist Church Benevolence Fund, P.O.Box 2170, Lagrange, GA 30241 or Brightmoor Hospice, 3247 Newnan Rd, Griffin, GA 30223.
Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240, and can be reached at (706) 884-8636.
