Lucy Helen Bodenheimer

Lucy Helen Bodenheimer was one month shy of her 99 years when she was called home to be with her Lord, Friday, April 11, 2025 . She was born in Sweetwater, TX on May 22, 1926 to Clyde and Mary Robbins. Soon after her birth the family moved to Temple, Texas. Lucy graduated from Temple High School. One night in 1944 while attending a USO event at the Temple roller rink, she met and fell in love with a GI named Donald Bodenheimer who was stationed at Camp Hood. They were married in Temple on April 7,1945 where they lived and raised their family. Lucy was 33 years old when she was hired to work in the gift shop at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Her career lasted for 47 years. She respected the veterans she served and honored their service to our country.

After retirement she continued to enjoy working in her flower beds, reading, baking her famous chocolate chip cookies, time with family and friends, attending church and watching her favorite soap operas.

Lucy never met a stranger. Shortly after her retirement, she met a lady who was giving sandwiches to the homeless at a local Temple park. Lucy asked if there was some way she could help. Soon lunches and hot meals were being served from the building at 116 W. Avenue G, which Lucy owned. For 3 years Lucy let them use her building “rent free” until the non-profit group raised enough money to purchase it. This building became know as the Lucy H. Bodenheimer Community Center, home of Feed My Sheep Temple Ministries John 21:17. Little did she know that she would be so instrumental in the beginning of this wonderful ministry.

Five years ago she moved to Dallas to be closer to family. Although loved and cared for, she always missed Temple, especially her friends and church, Memorial Baptist, where she had been a long time member. Her health began declining a couple of months ago, then rapidly worsened over the past week. She passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters and her husband of 58 years, Donald Bodenheimer. Lucy is survived by her children Judy and Larry Beller of Dallas; Linda Morgan and Gary Whalen of Marlin and Frank and Linda Bodenheimer of San Antonio. Her grandchildren Todd Beller, Amy Darwin, Tarah Bowden, Tamara Talasek, Lauren Hollis and Brooke Sammons and 18 great grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held at Bellwood Memorial Park in Temple.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to: Feed My Sheep Ministries ( feedmysheeptemple.org)