Thelma was born July 10, 1918 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her father died in the first World War never seeing his baby girl. Her mother moved to Conway, Arkansas where she raised Thelma on her own. Thelma graduated from business college in Little Rock, Arkansas. She met and married Thomas James McSwain, Sr. and had three children. In 1951 the family moved to Houston. In 1957 Thelma had a baby girl named Kathy that passed away as an infant.
Thelma was an accomplished executive secretary and worked many years for Petro-Tex/Denka chemical company. She retired to Crosby, Texas to be near her son Charles.
Thelma loved church and Sunday school. She enjoyed planning day bus trips for church members. She lived in Crosby for 28 years until she was 93 years old. She moved to Magnolia, Texas and lived with her daughter until her passing.
Thelma was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and friend. She leaves behind one daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and J C Bench, 2 sons Thomas James McSwain, Jr. and Marla, Charles Daniel McSwain and Linda. She also leaves behind six grandchildren, DeLinda Herr (Bryan), Donna Garcia (Danny), Tawnya Burson, Wesley McSwain (Christine), Chris McSwain (Robin), Dana Smith (Phillip). Thelma was also blessed with eleven great-grandchildren, Lauren, Leighanne and Lindsey Herr, Kylie Melcer, Haden Burson, Zane Prince, Corbin and Savanna McSwain, Avery and Brantly McSwain and Ayden Smith.
We love you Mama and you will forever be in our hearts.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 24 from 12:00pm – 12:30pm at Forest Park East Funeral Home with a Celebration of Thelma’s Life beginning at 12:30pm. Immediately following, she will be laid to rest at Forest Park East Cemetery.
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