Thelma Mae Stephens

Rejoicing that she is with her Savior and beloved husband of 64 years, Bennie, the family of Thelma Mae Stephens announce her transition from this life to her Heavenly home on November 27, 2023. Thelma was 91 years old having had a big 90th birthday party last year. She was born on February 17, 1932 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Cecil and Myrtle Sword.

Thelma was the last of eight children to enter the gates of Heaven. The Sword family moved to Texas from Ohio when Thelma was 15 years old. Her first job was as an elevator operator at the Shamrock Hotel in downtown Houston. Her future husband, Bennie, was delivering uniforms from Texas Overall Service, and they ended up on the elevator together. After that job, she began working for Texas Overall Service, since her mom was working there and also that handsome young man. Thelma and Bennie married on June 17, 1950, moved to Denver Harbor and became members of Port Street Baptist Church. They moved from there to Parkey Lane in Woodland Acres right before Debbie started first grade. Mike was a baby. Thelma babysat children in the neighborhood for a while and worked briefly at a copy store. Her most cherished jobs, however, were being a devoted wife to Bennie, mother to Debbie, Mike and David and Nanny to Treavor, Tyler, Brett, Shelley and Keith. Bennie and Thelma were very active members of Glendale Baptist Church for many years. Thelma was truly a helpmate next to her husband which allowed him to become a deacon and avid student of the Bible and spend many years as a Sunday School & Training Union teacher, specializing in prophecy. She also always made sure Bennie had a sandwich ready for Saturday lunches as he spent time improving/repairing the building of Glendale Baptist Church. Thelma also taught children in Sunday School and VBS for many years. Thelma and Bennie moved on to Uvalde Baptist Church and then to Dell Dale Baptist in Bennie’s last years. After Bennie passed and Thelma moved to the Kingwood area, she became a member of Second Baptist and the Silver Belles Sunday School class.

Nanny’s favorite hobby was crocheting, and her family and friends were recipients of many of her beautiful creations, especially baby blankets. She was a wonderful cook and hosted years of Sunday lunches. Many family members, friends and pastors sat around her dining room table. Nanny also began a wonderful tradition with her delicious Christmas candies……Millionaires! Nanny spent her last days playing dominoes, Uno and enjoying social activities with her resident friends at Watercrest.

Nanny leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Debbie Stephens, her son Michael Stephens and his wife Cindy, her son, David Stephens and his wife Kim, grandchildren Treavor and his wife Mary, Tyler and his wife Kristina, Brett and his wife Stephanie, Shelley and her husband Bucky, and Keith along with many great grandchildren. Nanny was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Lee, and her seven siblings.

Nanny’s family has chosen to not learn to live without her but to live with the love she left behind.