Thelma Sobel

Mrs. Sobel passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, in Tyler. She was a lifelong member of Ahavath Achim Synagogue, where she was a member of the sisterhood, Haddasah, and was always ready to help prepare food or assist with whatever was needed for the many events in the community.

She was born in Tyler on March 31, 1924. Mrs. Sobel worked at Camp Fannin during World War II. She met her husband, Hershel, in 1948 and they were married three months later. They were merchants for more than 50 years in Tyler as owners of Sobel's AAA Floor Co. Thelma worked side by side with her husband and both were well respected in the community. She was an officer in the Soroptimist Club which provided a camp for handicapped children and was a longtime volunteer for Meals On Wheels. She remained active in her later years by participating in water aerobics, bowling, mahjong and book club.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Sobel was preceded in death by her brother, Max Fleischmann and sisters, Ruth Waghalter and Ann Lidell. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Sobel and son-in-law, Daryl Havens, Ferndale, Michigan; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Sean Benson, San Antonio; daughter and son-in-law, Felice and David Silverberg, Grand Prairie; and grandchildren, Ryan and Jessica Silverberg.

Pallbearers are Allan Waghalter, Stanley Waghalter, Craig Lidell, Mark Lidell, Ira Kaplan, Sam Roosth, Sean Benson, David Silverberg and honorary pallbearer, Barry Jacobs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Thelma Sobel to Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 3501 S. Donnybrook Ave., Tyler, 75701; The Hospice of East Texas; or your favorite charity.