Thelma Steed Vickers, 82, died on February 18, 2019 at her home at Magnolia Glen surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lois Pegram Steed, a brother Leonard Steed, a nephew William “Bill” Steed, a niece June McGhee and her first husband Jack Thomas. She graduated Salutatorian from Franklinton High School in 1954.
She began her career at Henderson Pharmacy operating the Western Union machine. She married Jack Thomas and they moved to begin employment at Methodist College in Fayetteville when it opened in 1960 with Jack as the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds and Thelma as the Assistant Registrar. During this time, their daughter Ann was born. Due to Jack’s illness, they moved to Raleigh in 1969 and Thelma was employed with NC State University as the Administrative Assistant for Graduate Engineering. She retired from State with 28 years of service.
Thelma later married Victor “Vic” Vickers having met him at the Solo Parents Club in 1973. According to Vic, “I chased her until she caught me.” They married in 1976. She just said this week “it has been a wonderful journey and I hate to leave.” She and Vic enjoyed many years of ballroom dancing, attending the theatre, attending church and hanging out with family. She was the original “networker” with many friends across her work, church and social circles. She was known as the party planner and organized many events from bridge parties to dances and beach trips. She was a very competitive card player, even from the time she played “old maid“ as a child to playing duplicate bridge as an adult. She was a faithful member of St. James United Methodist Church since 1976 and loved her Sunday Fellowship class.
Surviving family members are husband, Vic Vickers, daughter, Ann Thomas Hahn (Alan Hahn) of Raleigh, daughter Sandra Haas (Paul Kersens) of St. Louis, MO, son Mark Vickers of Raleigh, sister Dot Robertson of Louisburg, grandchildren Nicholas Hahn of Raleigh, Maya Hahn of Raleigh, Timothy D. Haas (Jen) of Millstadt, IL; Jamie T. Haas (Charity) of St Louis, MO; and Michael A. Haas of St. Louis, as well as 9 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at St. James United Methodist Church on Monday, February 25th. In honor of her love for NC State and years of service there, the family encourages everyone to wear something red! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Iron Academy, 3510 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612 or www.ironacademy.org.
The family wishes to thank Transitions for their care, and Thelma’s friends and family for the many visits they made over the last few weeks.
