She was born 18 March 1932 in Poland Mines, Pennsylvania to Milo (Tom) and Mary Secrest Sullenberger, the second of three children. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, William Bryan and Ulysses Grant Sullenberger.
Thelma was married to William (Bill) F. Hyson, Jr. for almost 60 years. He preceded her death in 2011. She was also preceded in death by her three sons: David, William (Bill), and James Hyson. She is survived by her two daughters: Irene (Glen) Higgins and Margaret Hyson; as well as six grandchildren: Lara Taylor, James (Deanna) Taylor, Amanda (Jeremey) Rollin, Zachary (Sarah) Taylor, Glen Higgins III, and Emily Higgins and seven great-grandchildren: Toby, Isaac, and Arabella Rollin, Zachariah Taylor, Cheyenne, and Zachary (Jr.) Taylor, and Ezra Jonasen.
Thelma began her secretarial career at West Virginia University in the biology/botany departments. She typed many manuscripts for Dr. Earl Core. He valued her work so much that when her husband was stationed in Germany, he air mailed the manuscripts to her. When her husband was stationed in Alaska, she began working at the housing office on Fort Richardson. With his move to Fort Carson in 1966, she transferred to the housing office at Peterson Field. In 1970, she moved to the 557th Flying Training Squadron at the Air Force Academy and was a reporting stenographer/historian for the squadron for many years. There, she became known for the novelty cakes she would bake for servicemen being transferred elsewhere. After retiring from the Air Force Academy, she began working at the post office. While there, she also took a temporary job at Colorado College, returning to her roots to prepare another manuscript, a biology textbook, for publication. After retiring from the post office, she took a job at Walmart and remained there until her third and final retirement.
Thelma loved flowers and gardening. If you didn’t find her in her gardens weeding and planting new flowers, you’d often find her painting and creating new garden ornaments or planning what to do next in her or her daughter Irene’s gardens. She was an original DIY-er, adding a deck, gazebo and pond to her backyard oasis. She often joked with the doctors that she needed to go home and get busy because the weeds were laughing at her and she needed to take care of them.
Thelma was an avid and dedicated Scouter. She began her scouting career as an assistant Girl Scout Leader in West Virginia. After moving to Colorado, she became a volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America, recently earning her 50 year service pin. She served in many positions over the years, including pack committee member, trainer, and day camp director. She was the first Cub Scout Day Camp Director in the Ute District and ran the program for more than 20 years. Her granddaughter, Lara, is now proudly carrying on Thelma’s tradition by being a Cub Scout Day Camp Director herself. Thelma was one of the first University of Scouting training program director/teachers and traveled throughout the district to train fellow Scouters. She was also known for the lavish Ute District dinners she hosted. Thelma never did anything half-way and it showed in all of the day camps, dinners, training events, and other programs she put on throughout her Scouting career. She received many awards over the years, including the District Award of Merit and Woman of the Year multiple times. In 1980, she was able to travel to England and Gilwell as part of a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Cub Scouting. She was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1982, the highest award a local council can give a volunteer.
She attended the first Cub Scout Wood Badge training program in Colorado in 1978, earning her beads in 1980 and proudly serving in the Fox Patrol. She currently holds the record for the Pikes Peak Council Wood Badge Good Turn Tickets at 39 years, making sure to complete her 2019 ticket before passing away.
She was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 1985. This is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is awarded to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state, or the nation.
Most of all, she was “Grandma” to almost everyone who knew her. She is dearly loved and will be missed very much.
If you would like to make a charitable contribution in Thelma’s name, the family suggests the Pikes Peak Council Boys Scouts of America (The William and Thelma Hyson Campership Fund or the Wood Badge Scholarship Fund are preferred) or to a charity of your choice.
In honor of Thelma’s dedication to Scouting, the family encourages anyone who is or has been a Scouter to wear their Scouting uniform to the funeral and reception/luncheon.
Visitation will be held from 6-8pm, Friday, 16 August 2019 at the Dove-Witt Family Mortuary, 6630 S. Highway 85/87 in Fountain, CO. Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, 17 August 2019 at the Fountain Community Theater (Fleischauer Activities Center), 326 Alabama Ave, Fountain, CO.* A Reception and luncheon will immediately follow. The Rev. George Carson of Springfield, MO will officiate.
Thelma will be cremated and placed with her husband in Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
*If using Google Maps for directions, please enter "Fountain Community Theater" or "Fleischauer Activities Center" as the location. The address (326 Alabama Ave) will not take you to the correct location.
