Thelma Mae Mayberry Arnold

Thelma Mae Roberson was born on January 8, 1934 to the union of the late Albert and Callie Roberson in the small rural town of Florence, Alabama near Huntsville and just minutes from the Alabama/Tennessee state line.  A very bright and precocious child, Thelma was always helpful around the house as she was the fourth of thirteen children born to her parents.

Just as the trees in the northern Alabama soil grow strong and produce beautiful buds in the Spring, so was the Spring of Thelma’s life.  With strong family values, discipline, and an uncompromising work ethic instilled byhardworking parents, Thelma was devoted to school and family as a child. In addition to her classwork, she started to develop her skills for leadership and organization.  Thelma and her older brothers and sisters were responsible for taking care of the younger nine children.  Inretaliation for some of her discipline of the younger children, they devised a plan to charge her male suitors a fee to visit her at home. Theywere able to fund their sweet tooth and their big sister was able to continue her dating life.

As Summer brings the blooming of flowers and the season of adventure, so did the summer of Thelma’s life.  After attending Burrell Slater High School in Florence, she moved to New York City to finish school at Jamaica High School and explore excitement of the North she’d heard so much about as a child.  While visiting her older sister Mildred in Seattle, she decided to attend the University of Washington to pursue her interest in nursing at the suggestion of her uncle, Dr. Judge Thompson from New York.  At the University of Washington, she met and married Donald Martin Mayberry.  To this union, 3 children were born:  Dirk Martin, Cheryl Eileen, and Brett Douglas.   A devoted mother, Thelma was fun-loving and attentive to her children and she created a home where family and education were most important.  She began a career in retailing with Safeway Inc. advancing to management; and after 25 years of service, she retired.

The Autumn of Thelma’s life brought many leaves of red and gold and the rich harvest of celebrating the success of her children.  In 1984, she embarked on her wonderful marriage to Walter Arnold which would last 31 years until his death in 2015.   With God at the center of her life, Thelma started her lifelong religious commitment at St. John’s Baptist Church in Florence.  She and Walter subsequently became members of Paradise Baptist Church for over 30 years where she served the Lord faithfully as an Usher, Treasurer, and was ultimately appointed a Mother of the Church.  Her commitment also led her to become a member of the Paradise Missionary Baptist Scholarship Program which provides educational support for college-bound students.  In this role, she was deemed to be a primary advisor for the Program committee.

Just as the Winter Season brings us sprits of peace and joy, so did the winter of Thelma’s life.  In addition to enjoying her children, grandchildren, her adopted grandchildren, goddaughter and godson, Thelma enjoyed watching tennis and memorizing stats for all major tennis players including her favorites,Serena and Venus Williams.  When asked by her daughter how she knew all the stats she replied, “Don’t you watch the Tennis Channel?”  Her joy didn’t stop there: Thelma traveled extensively on over 30 cruises.  She also loved bowling, and was well known for her culinary talents as well as a caregiver to many.

Thelma journeyed to rest in God’s arms on October 29, 2017.  Walter Arnold, her husband of 31 years, preceded her in death.  She leaves behind to cherish her memory:  two sons, Dirk and Brett; one daughter, Cheryl and son-in-law Eric McKissack; sister-in-law Marion Robinson; goddaughter and godson, Tina and Arthur Love; two stepchildren Michael Arnold and Yvonne Arnold; three grandchildren, Caleb, Jessica and Danielle; five adopted grandchildren, Kiara Mughal, Ashley Jackson, Anthony Grant, Stephanie Mayberry and Chenelle Love.  She is preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Lee and Tommy; and foursisters, Ruth, Mildred, Ara, and Pat.  She will be missed by her four sisters, Rosie, Gleen, Cynthia Ann, Francis Kaye; and two brothers, Albert and Oliver; and scores of nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews and a host of special friends.