Thelma E. Williams

Thelma Williams (age 102), a devoted and faithful servant of God, passed away on February 27, 2018. Thelma was born in St Louis, Missouri on January 7, 1916. She married Ervin K Williams and moved to Zanesville, Ohio then to Lancaster, Ohio in 1951. Thelma did the bookkeeping and managed all the financial records for her husband’s shoe stores, including one in Hickles department store. Her husband preceded her in death in 1965.

When Thelma was young she wanted to be a missionary and she answered God’s call by serving Him all her life. Her mission was teaching children in Sunday school for over 50 years. She also taught and served in Girl Scouts. She was Christian Education Director in the First Presbyterian Church and Associate Director of Christian Education at First United Methodist Church, both in Lancaster, Ohio. Still today, many express how Thelma inspired and positively affected their life.

Thelma was an avid reader and loved traveling. One of her best memories was traveling to Europe and to the Holy Lands in Israel. She enjoyed seeing all the sites she taught in Sunday school.

Thelma was known as loving, kind, and positive. She always found good in everyone she met. She will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by her family and those who knew her. Thelma loved visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon L. and Rick E. Marsh of Columbus; son and daughter-in-law, Richard E. and Diana (Arnold) Williams of Ormond Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Terri (Bill) McCracken of Florida, Lorri (Gary) Almonte of Florida, Staci (Jim) Killam of Florida, and Karee (Hans-Werner) Buerger of Illinois; and great grandchildren, Katelyn Buerger, Alexis Almonte, Andrew Almonte, and Collin McCracken.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents, John P. and Mildred W. Ackermann of St. Louis, Missouri; brothers, Albert and Eugene Ackermann; and sister, Mildred Paparic.

A funeral service for Thelma will be held at 4:00 PM Saturday at the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Lancaster with Reverend Cheryl Foulk officiating. Family and friends may visit 3 to 4 PM Saturday at the funeral home. Private burial will take place at a later date in Maple Grove Cemetery, Lancaster.

Donations may be made in memory of Thelma to FairHoPe Hospice, 282 Sells Rd, Lancaster, Ohio 43130.

Funeral Service

4:00 PM ,Saturday, March 3, 2018
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home
405 N. Columbus St Lancaster, OH 43130

Visitation

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ,Saturday, March 3, 2018
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home
405 N. Columbus St Lancaster, OH 43130