Thelma Cade-Perdue

She was born in San Antonio on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 29, 1928, the daughter of the late J. Robert Cade and Winifred Schuetze Cade. Her uncle, Dr. Charles Craig Cade delivered her at the Nix Hospital, San Antonio. He said she did a good job arriving into the world as he was able to make his UT Austin football game the same day.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Dr. James Robert Cade of Gainesville, Florida.

Surviving her is her son, Matthew M. Perdue (San Antonio, TX); nephew, Jonathan and Cindy Krell (San Antonio, TX); long-time neighbors and friends, Cruz Herrera Jr. and Gregory Frieden and other numerous good friends, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and grand-cats.

Graduating from Texas Women's University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and qualified for a Master of Arts degree in Music as an undergraduate, Thelma went on to teach school in Houston, Texas where she was also the paid soloist at Christ Cathedral. Marrying in 1954 she had three children, later moving to San Angelo, then returning to San Antonio. After divorcing in 1968 she lived briefly in High Springs, FL, then moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a legal secretary, then returned to San Antonio in 1972 where she resumed teaching in San Antonio and Somerset. She also sang in or directed many church choirs and served as a substitute organist. Upon retiring she resumed her artistic and musical interests. A signed print of her drawing of The Alamo was given to Queen Elizabeth, II upon her visit to San Antonio by the Office of the Mayor.

Thelma loved traveling and her son Matthew was able to take her on trips around the U.S. and Europe which always had musical and artistic themes for the journey. During one trip, she enjoyed choral concerts in Frankfurt; Bach's home church in Leipzig; and Mozart's church in Salzburg. Despite her German/English heritage, her favorite country was Italy.