In the spring of 1948 Thelma graduated from Northampton High School and entered The Elizabeth Buxton Hospital School of Nursing from where she graduated in 1951, receiving The Lucille Hunnicutt award as “Best all-around nurse" in her class. In 1984 Thelma received a diploma from Boyce Bible School – Southern Seminary and was commissioned as a Home Missionary Associate, by the Home Mission Board, to serve in the Peninsula Baptist Association (1977 – 2001).
Thelma married Owen J. Kiser (who lived on Buxton Avenue) in 1951. God blessed their union with four sons; Owen, Jerry, Jeff and Dennis. Predeceasing Thelma in 1985 is her husband Owen J. (better known as O.J.) with a massive heart attack. In 2004 her son Owen, died of lung cancer. While sadly missed, the family rejoices for their legacy of love, kindness, hard work, and being children of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thelma is also predeceased by her two brothers; Howard B. and G. Jack Camden and niece; Sandy C. Wegelin. She is survived by three devoted sons and their spouses; Dr. Jerry (Teresa) Kiser of Jacskonville, Alabama, S. Jeff (Joyce) Kiser of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Dennis (Donna) Kiser of Williamsburg, Virginia. Six grandchildren; O. Jay (Jennifer) Kiser of Carrolton, Virginia, Lorri (Dr. Bill) Boyd of Clifton Forge, Virginia, Jennifer Thacker of Chesapeake, Virginia, Jeffrey S. (Molly) Kiser of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Emy (Brian) Crinklaw-Bunch of Washington D.C., and Matthew (Lauren) Crinklaw of Roslyn, Virginia. Seven great grandchildren; Emilee Faith and Jacob of Clifton Forge, VA, Rebecca and A.J. of Carrolton, Virginia, Alexander, Andrew and Aiden of Chesapeake, Virginia. Two nephews; Devlin and Ron Camden, and niece; Karen Frankie.
Thelma’s prayer for them and the generations to follow: To love the Lord their God with all their mind, heart, body, and soul; to love their neighbor as themselves; and to trust and obey God.
Thelma always gave God the honor and glory for the opportunities of service He gave her.
In her Church:
Services included Adult and Children’s Teacher, Church Training Director, VBS Director, Women’s Missionary Union Director, Pastor Search Committee, and various other committees.
In the Peninsula Baptist Association (PBA):
Home Missionary of the Friendship House, the Satellite Ministries, the Support Groups of Grief, Divorce, Alcohol, etc. She became the first lay woman of the year and the first woman moderator (1984) when the Association was 80years old. In 2004 she served as Chairperson of the 100 Year Anniversary documented in the “History of PBA – 1904 – 2004” – “Bound by the Common Bond of Love”” by Dr. Paul R. Garber – p. 152 and following. Thelma was dubbed “PBA Sweetheart – Miss PBA” by quite a few of the pastors and lay people. She indeed had the leadership gift from God and the encouragement from pastors and churches, and her two Directors of Missions, Rev. George Kissinger and Dr. Jack Patterson; and also from her State Directors of Missions, Dr. Phil Rhodgerson and Dr. Craig Wilson, and Dr. Reginal McDonald. Thelma was also chosen by “The Peninsula Crusade” Committee as Prayer Co-Chairperson for the 1974 Billy Graham Crusade, then in 1976 as Prayer Chairperson for the Billy Graham Bicentennial Crusade. “Some of the greatest moments of my life” Thelma always said.
In the State of Virginia:
1978 – 1997 She served on the Virginia Woman’s Missionary Union Executive Board in several leadership positions.
1991 – 1996 She served on the Virginia Baptist Mission Board in varied positions. She also served as a Trustee for “The Religious Herald”, the Virginia Baptist newspaper. During these years Thelma had the privilege to lead many Prayer and Bible conferences and workshops. She often said “It is exhilarating to meet and share God with so many people in all walks of life. Most of all, to share together our prayer concerns and needs. I cannot thank God enough.”
She also had the opportunity of sharing The Good News in other areas on short term volunteer mission endeavors:
United States – Kentucky, West Virginia, and Connecticut
Overseas – Cali, Columbia (1981), Moscow and Dresk Russia (1991) and Lucinle, Slosaika (1998)
Funeral Services
Saturday, October 20, 2018
10:00 am Visitation
Smith Memorial Baptist Church (SMBC)
11:00 am Funeral Service
SMBC
12:05 pm Lunch: Everyone is invited
SMBC Fellowship Hall
3:00 pm Graveside Service
Parklawn Memorial Park
3:30 pm Reception: Everyone is invited
Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Hospice House, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188. 757-253-1220; www.williamsburghospice.org
Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.
Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, Virginia 23666.
