Thelma I. Oldham

Thelma Irene Wright Oldham was born September 2, 1925 in Darke County, Ohio to Ray and Sarah Mae Wright. She grew up in Gettsburg, Ohio. Throughout her youth she was active in church teaching Sunday school classes and singing duets with her younger sister, Eileen. In high school she met and married Dale R. Oldham (Doc) on January 29, 1944. She graduated from Gettysburg High School in June 1944. Thelma and Dale moved to Phoenix, Arizona in the summer of 1952. They purchased a house on North 11th Street where they lived and raised their 4 children.

Thelma was a homemaker but when finances dictated she worked at the local five and dime store and eventually at the Children’s World, a day care center. After Doc purchased the machine shop where he worked, Thelma worked at the shop as the bookkeeper.

Both Doc and Thelma were active in church and participated as youth leaders and Sunday school teachers. Thelma also served as a leader for World Friendship Girls during Melanie and Sandi’s teen years. Thelma loved children and taught Sunday school to preschoolers for many years. She helped raise her granddaughter, Dawn and great granddaughter, Destiny. Children were very important to her and she felt it was important for them to learn early in life about Jesus. After she moved to Fellowship Square she continued this important pursuit by babysitting for the centers’ hairdresser.

Thelma passed into the Lords presence on July 10, 2016. She is survived by her sister, Catherine Eileen Miller, her daughter, Peggy Hartnell, 4 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

Visitation will take place Tuesday, July 19th at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 W. Northern Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 at 9 am with burial to follow. A memorial service will be scheduled for next year Friday, January 13, 2017 at West Resthaven Funeral Home from 10 – 12pm. requests

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be directed to World Venture for Malcolm & Peggy Hartnell support (1501 W. Mineral Ave., Littleton, CO 80120-5612