Thelma Inez Safford

A graveside service and burial was held at 10 am Saturday, 14 January 2017, at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park cemetery in Colleyville, Texas, with Chaplain Jeff Nash officiating. Arrangements were handled by Foust & Son Funeral Home, Grapevine, Texas.

Thelma was born in Vernon, Texas to William Frederick and Mary Lucille Laws Conn on June 14, 1919. They later moved to Roswell New Mexico and she graduated from Roswell High School, earning a music scholarship for French horn. She married Edward Lenfesty Saunders Safford, Jr. on May 4, 1940 in Roswell, NM.

In El Paso, Texas, she was active in many civic and charitable organizations; including El Paso Woman’s Club, First Christian Church, and Order of Eastern Star (OES). She also volunteered at the O V Aoy school, one of the first to educate children of migrant workers. Later while living in Houston, she was very active in the Clear Lake United Methodist Church. She also served as Chapter Historian of the San Jacinto Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), documenting both the chapter activities and its historical Pioneer Memorial Log House. She was a descendent of Hiram Bennett and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Nathanial Davis Chapter, Odessa, TX.

Thelma is preceded in death by parents Fred and Lucille, spouse Edward Jr., sister Carlyn Simpson, and son Thomas Frederick Safford.

Thelma is survived by son Edward L. Safford III and wife Susan: Five grandchildren; Edward L. Safford IV, Valerie Safford Heilweil, Brandon J. Safford, Thomas F. Safford, Jr. and wife Dee, and Cindie Safford Nolen: Ten Great-grandchildren; Alexis Safford, Charles Heilweil, Liberty Safford, Jack Safford, Gwenmarie Safford, Tyler Safford, Alyssa Nolen, Daniel Nolen, Ariel Pippens, and Ethan Pippins: and nephews James Simpson and William Simpson.

Pallbearers were Edward Safford III, Edward Safford IV, Brandon Safford, Thomas Safford, Jr., James Simpson, and William Simpson.

Memorials may be given to Wallace Hughston Chapter, OES, c/o Christel Fisher, 5502 Hondo Pass, El Paso, TX 79904; San Jacinto Chapter, DRT, Houston, TX; or Nathaniel Davis Chapter, DAR, c/o Beverly Landgraf, 1441 Sweetbriar Cir, Odessa, TX 78761