Thelma Royal Freeman

1928-2014

Cancer claimed another angel, the evening of August 18th.

She was born April 16th, 1928, in Hunter, Utah to Harry Royal (Roilos) and Mary Lexus, immigrants from Greece. She was one of 8 brothers and sisters raised in the Hunter area, graduating from Cyprus High School. Shortly after she met her husband of 11 years, Jim Pappas (Papadopulos) and together they adopted two children from Athens, Greece. In 1964 she married her husband of 50 years, Lavar.

You could read her like a book, she emulated a genuine smile, acceptance of all and extended a welcome heart to everyone she met. Her motto for life was: “Give it”, it comes back to you 10 fold. Packed into her small frame was a style icon who was witty and well pressed. A pillar of the Greek Orthodox faith and love which she instilled and surrounded us with daily.

She loved music and was always humming something. She had a natural gift for decorating Christmas tree’s, florals, interiors, it didn’t matter it always turned into a work of art, admired by many. One of her greatest joys was writing about anything and everything, there are hundreds of her memories on paper. One of the accomplishments she was most proud of was writing religious lyrics and music for her sister Kathryn who sang them on tour in Jerusalem. She was fiercely private and if you told her a secret, she took it with her. The one thing we’ll all remember is, if you can’t find Thelma, just listen for the hum!

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother’s, Harry, Frank, Chris, Gus and sister, Kathryn Royal.

Survived by her husband, Lavar, children, Harry and Nikki Pappas, Son Paul (Lise) Freeman, grandson Preston Freeman, granddaughter Georgia (Allan) Davidson, brothers, Nick (Barbara) Royal and Sister, Georgia (Bill) Hardy. Yiayia is also survived by her great granddaughter, her precious Presley, “My life, my love – my everything”.

At her request, there will be no viewing. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120 at 2:00 p.m. www.valleyviewfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in her memory.