Thelma Mae Stidworthy

Thelma Mae Stidworthy, 95, previously of Bentonville, Ark., passed away on September 17, 2016 at the Robin Johnson Hospice house in Dallas, N.C. Thelma was born on July 21, 1921 in Easton, Pa., to the late Bessie and George Wheeler. Thelma was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank W. Thompson, second husband, Clyde Stidworthy, and her four siblings, Frank, Lou, Nellie and Carolyn. Thelma grew up in Hackettstown, N.J., and lived with first husband, Frank, and son, Allen in Boonton, N.J. After Frank's passing in 1971, she met and married Clyde. Clyde and Thelma had a wonderful life together for 34 years. They lived in New Jersey, Alabama and Florida. Following Clyde's death in 2006, Thelma moved to Legacy Village in Bentonville, Ark., to be near her son Allen and his wife Mary. Thelma loved music and played piano and organ. During WWII, she played the piano at USO functions and going away parties for troops being shipped off to war. She worked at Aircraft Radio in Boonton, N.J., during the war, assembling radios that would be installed on fighter planes and bombers. On the evening of her death, she watched and listened to her favorite show, Lawrence Welk, with her son, Allen. Thelma loved to travel. Her favorite city was San Francisco, where she loved to ride the cable cars. She also loved just about anything sweet, especially ice cream and cookies. She is survived by son, Allen and his wife Mary of Belmont, N.C. Also, three grandchildren, Tracy and husband Paul of Belmont, N.C., James of Belmont, N.C., and Aaron and wife Jillian of San Diego, Calif. She also has two great-grandchildren, Kian and Cade, children of Tracy and Paul. Niece, Beverly, lives in New Port Richey, Fla. Step-granddaughter, Taylor Patterson, lives in Bella Vista, Ark. Family and close friends will meet at 3 p.m. at Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park, 2205 Williamsburg Dr., Gastonia, N.C. 28054, to bid Thelma farewell. She will be buried on Friday, 9/23/16, next to Clyde, the love of her life, at Pequest Union Cemetery in Great Meadows, N.J.