Thelma Smith

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed..." Proverbs 31:27-28a

On December 5, 1936, Thelma Mae Smith was born the only child to Casper and Ella Duff Smith in Indianapolis, IN. She gracefully transitioned to her heavenly home on the morning of Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Thelma accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized at Phillips Temple CME Church in Indianapolis. As an adult, she attended and became a member of Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church also in Indianapolis. She later became a dedicated member of the Church of Christ family and faithfully served in Arizona. When she and her husband, Frederick, relocated to Mississippi, she placed her membership with Parkview Church of Christ in Jackson and faithfully attended and served until her health no longer permitted her to do so.

At the age of 15, after the death of mother, Thelma briefly lived in New York with an aunt. She returned to Indianapolis to live with her Aunt Bedy and made a lifelong sisterly connection with her cousin Velma. Thelma had an infectious laugh and they were always having fun together.

After graduating from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Thelma attended Nursing School where she became a Licensed Practicing Nurse. She was dedicated to her profession and to the care of her patients for 40 years before retiring. She loved to travel throughout the United States and abroad.

In 1997, Thelma was joined in holy matrimony to Frederick Smith and this union remained until his death in 2012.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband Frederick.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories five daughters, Wanda (Frederick) Pitts of Jackson, MS, Karen (Raymond) Henderson, Joann (James) Harris, Robin Elaine (Mike) Evans and Nichole Howard all of Indianapolis, IN; two sons, Michael and Gregory (Isabel) Howard of Indianapolis, IN; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 1 great great-grandchild; a very special cousin, Velma Harris; two special sons in Christ, Bro. Thomas Haynes and Bro. Daniel Peterson of Jackson, MS; two special daughters in Christ, Danita Caston of Jackson, MS and Mia Martin of McComb, MS; and her entire Parkview Church Family.