Thelma Lee Brown

Thelma was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on August 8, 1944 to Cecil and Flossie Burch. She was the 7th born of 17 children and proudly graduated from Waxahachie High School in 1964. She passed away on October 24, 2024 in Nacogdoches.

Thelma was a talented seamstress, making many of her children’s clothing and several beautiful dresses for her granddaughters. She was known by many to have the loveliest flower beds and potted plants, which she cultivated with joy. She excelled in all things crafty, and her creativity was evident in her fashionable outfits always complete with perfectly paired shoes, jewelry, hair and makeup that accentuated her beautiful blue eyes. Her home was always welcoming for those who needed a place to stay. She enjoyed many camping trips with her children and extended family when they were younger, as well as fishing, shopping, garage sales, music, dancing, and traveling any chance she got. She was especially proud to be known as “Nanny” to her grandchildren, and her favorite tradition was baking Christmas cookies with them every year. That beloved tradition continued for her to enjoy with her many great grandbabies who brought a special sparkle to her eye.

She is survived by her four children Yvonne Ballard-King (Johnny), Johnell Freshour, John Scott Freshour (Sabrina), and Tara Morton (Justin); grandchildren James Ballard, Jr (Kim), Jeffrey Ballard, Shelby Hasley (Cris), Jamie Freshour, Christopher Baurle (Hannah), Cheyenne Whittemore, Jessica Brown (Drew), Eric Freshour (Anna), Jessica Squyres (Cody), Skylar Conner (Tyler), and Lane Morton; great-grandchildren Corey, Aubrey, Averi, Addisyn, Kinsley, James, Raylee, Axl, Ruger, Alarah, Nahlah, Michael, Parker, Luna, Allie, John Dallas, Dakota, Bentley, Baby Hayden (due January 2025), Bethany, Micah, and Elizabeth; sisters Mildred Martin and Margarette Barrett, brothers Billy Burch, Gene Burch, Steve Burch, Johnny Burch, Jerry Burch, and Howard Burch.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Rachel Burch, Geraldine Burch, and Minnie Smith; brothers James Burch, JL Burch, Wayne Burch, Danny Burch, and David Burch; son-in-law James Ballard; and granddaughter Heather Ballard.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday November 1st, 2024 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home in Nacogdoches.

Her request was, for those who wish to make donations, that they be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.