Obituary of Thelma Cordell

Thelma Lucille Johnson Cordell passed gently and peacefully from this life at home with her daughters and grandson on April 6, 2010. Born in Plateau, N.C., on July 21, 1922 to Blanche Scronce Johnson and Roscoe Johnson, she grew up in a large close knit family on a cotton and sweet potato farm. A 1941 graduate of Blackburn High School, she played on the basketball and softball teams. Thelma met her husband Bill outside the Downey Flake Cafe in Newton shortly before he joined the navy during World War II. After the war ended, they eloped and later moved to Hickory. While Bill attended college, Thelma worked diligently at a mill to support the two. She devoted the next twenty years of her life caring for her three daughters and supporting her husband in his career as a teacher. Bill's first position took the family to Granite Falls, then later to Forest City and Henrietta. Eventually they settled in Charlotte. When her youngest daughter was in high school she began working at the Uptown Ivey's Department Store in a position that she loved, which also supported her life long love of fashion. Among her many passions were her extended family of sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews. She also loved irises, experimenting with cooking from many cultures, reading, traveling to various spots in the world to visit her roaming daughters, and her beloved grandson Mateo. A devoted member of First Baptist Church for 50 years, she shared a strong bond with members of her Sunday School class and enjoyed serving in the nursery and homeless ministries. She found deep peace and serenity in her spiritual life. Ever polite, gracious and graceful, she will be remembered for her calm demeanor, steadfast compassion, open heart and ability to love completely. She moved through life quietly, with a peaceful and gentle curiosity and maintained a delightfully understated sense of humor until her last day. Survived by her daughters Pamela and Deborah Cordell, grandson Mateo Cordell and sister Betty Hefner, she was preceded in death by husband Bill Cordell, daughter Barbara Cordell and her beloved brothers and sisters. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at First Baptist Church, 301 S. Davidson St. in Charlotte. The family will receive friends in the foyer after the service. Memorials can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh St, Charlotte, NC 28204.