Thelma Cormier

Thelma R. Cormier was born to Charles Richardson and Mary V. Dunnings in Manghan, LA on October 18, 1920. Thelma peacefully departed on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Concejo Adult Family Home where she had comfortably resided for the last two years. She married Floyd Cormier, Sr. and had one child, Floyd Cormier, Jr.

Thelma came from a long legacy of educators, doctors, and businesspeople. She was quite proud of the fact that the Dunnings family of Camden, Arkansas, where she spent most of her young years, was well known and respected even to this day. She and her sister Mary and brother Buddy were raised by their Grandfather Dunnings after their mother died in childbirth. With the help of aunts and uncles, the three children grew up happily with lots of love and attention. She accepted Christ at an early age there in Camden and that is where her strong affection for the AME Church began.

A graduate of Tennessee State University where she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), Thelma moved to Rayville, LA in 1950 with her aunt. There she was a librarian at Rayville Rosenwald Colored School. In 1956, the new school high school was open and named after Thelma's aunt, Eula D. Britton. In 1969, Thelma moved to Seattle to be with her sister, Mary. Thelma worked until she retired in Seattle Public School as a Librarian. Over the years, she became a favorite of countless students at Garfield High School, Meany Middle School and McClure Middle School.

Thelma remained active and full of life for most of 94 years until she became ill two years ago. She was a member of Layman's Organization, a former Trustee, Steward, and true supporter and lover of her church family at First AME. Thelma enjoyed travelling locally and nationally for all Lay conventions and meetings.

She is survived by a granddaughter and great grandson, DeeDee Cormier and Dyson Cormier-Smith of South Orange, NJ; nieces, Gwen Weldon (Keith) and Toni Stevenson of Seattle, WA; nephews, EJ Brisker and Landon Conner of Seattle, WA; nephew, Verbon Jones of Houston, TX; Cousin, Alicia Penny of Chicago, Il, Daughter-in-law, Lora Moore Cormier of Dallas, TX and many, many dear friends. Her son, Floyd Cormier; her sister, Mary Hamlet; brother Woodrow Buddy Richardson, and niece, Fern Jones preceded Thelma in death.

Our dear Thelma will be missed by all.