Thelma Douglas' Obituary
Thelma Douglas devoted her life to loving God, raising her children, doting on her grandson, coveting her mother, sisters, countless relatives and friends. Born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 8, 1931 to Lee Thomas Mosby and Dora Woods, she was raised in Detroit, Michigan and spent her summers in Hernando, Mississippi with her grandparents and countless cousins, aunts and uncles where she cultivated lasting relationships and instilled the same fundamental values of family community in those she loved. She placed her formal educational aspirations on hold and took on the role of military wife and later mother to Sharon and Greg Douglas while Eugene E. Douglas served in the United States Navy.
Turning her attention to her family unit, Thelma evolved into the quintessential woman, no doubt ahead of her time, epitomizing what we now characterize as a domestic goddess; sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking and baking like no other to hosting parties, attending PTA meetings, serving as lunch mother and championing her children in education, sports, social responsibility and cultural development. You could always count on her showing up on campus with “not your average” care package or at your home with a full-on banquet. Those lucky enough to experience her “culinary treasures” can still recall their favorite dishes years later.
Serious about continual education and learning, Thelma set her own pace, creating her own footprint for stimulating her intellect and maximizing her opportunities, even in her seventies. She was gainfully employed at Cummings Consultants, Poughkeepsie Journal, IBM and Everlasting Covenant Christian School. Probably the most rewarding achievement to her professionally was her role as an educator at the pre-school level. Thelma loved to be surrounded by children. She kissed more babies than any politician and she had more photographs of other people’s children than her own offspring.
Notoriously opinionated, expressive and sometimes colorful with words when warranted; she leaves this legacy to her daughter, which no doubt will be carried forward!
Thelma had an appreciation of the arts, music and loved to travel. What you might not know is that her first passion was singing and she sang on the Ted Mack Variety Show in the 1950’s. Thelma enjoyed a good laugh, even in her final days, so thank you for entertaining her all these years. Truly everyone has their own stories about “Mrs. D.”, “T”, “Thelma”, “Dougie”, “Mighty Mouse”, “Aunt Thelma”, ‘Nana” and hopefully, you will continue to share the stories that keep her memory alive.
On November 4, 2020, Thelma joined her grandmother, grandfather, mother, father and sisters, Ethel Kendrick and Tommie Gibson, sister-in-law, Dolores Ford, brothers-in-law, Wallace Ford, Ed Gibson, Nephew Gary Motley and cousins, Rob Woods, John Woods, Aubrey Woods, Angeline Holt, Billie Celestine, Noel Celestine, and so many aunts/great aunts and uncles/great uncles and friends that she cherished (Arthur D. Harris, Guy Sullivan, Jacqueline Reaves, Ozzie Reaves).
She is survived by her son, Gregory Eugene Douglas, daughter, Sharon Lynn Douglas, grandson, Zachary Miles Cone-Douglas, daughter-in-law, Jennifer Cone, Brother-in-law, Raymond Kendrick, Nieces, Brenda McClanahan, Deborah Bryant, Nanci Gibson, Leslie Ford, Karen Ford, Nita Ford, Marilyn Ford, Charlene Ford, Nephew Raymond (Butch) Kendrick and many great nieces, nephews and cousins. We can all take comfort in knowing that she loved deeply and is deeply loved.
The family wishes to acknowledge with deep gratitude and appreciation, the multitude of tributes, memories shared, comforting sentiments and expressions of kindness and compassion shown by family members and friends. A more personal acknowledgement will be given at a later date.
Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 932-2700
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