Mrs. Thelma Flowers

Thelma Flowers was born on June 5, 1934 in Duncan, Mississippi to the union of Rev. Dr. Miller and Almetta Peace. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at a young age. She was baptized at Hopper Chapter Church in Duncan, Mississippi. When she moved to Milwaukee with her family, she joined St. Mark AME Church. Thelma began her primary education in Mississippi. She then attended Milwaukee Public Schools and obtained her Associate Degree from MATC in Early Childhood Education. Thelma was united in holy matrimony to Arthur Flowers, Sr. in 1953. To this union one daughter and three sons were born. She joined Calvary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Melvin James Battle. Thelma has been a member of Calvary for over 60 years. Thelma was employed part time at Sears and Roebuck until she lef to take care of her grandchildren, as well as her great-grandchildren over the years. She was a faithful and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Thelma cherished spending time with her daughter, three sons, their spouses, eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Thelma loved tending to her flower garden, baking cakes and studying her bible. Everyone loved her cakes and would search them out at gatherings. You could always hear someone asking: "Is this Thelma Flowers' cake? Where is her cake?" Family members could always count on receiving a phone call from her, before their birthday, asking what flavor cake they would like her to bake. Her younger sister Theadoll Taylor. during her earlier years of marriage, often called on her to get advise on how to cook various food dishes. Thelma also love visiting the sick and shut-in and sending cards of encouragement to everyone in her life. She made sure that those she loved were continuously aware of their value in her life. Thelma was very active in Calvary Baptist Church. She loved doing the Lord's work. She attended bible study classes and church service regularly. Thelma served as Superintendent of the Church School Intermediate Department, was a member of the Board of Missions and the Evangelism Ministry. As a member of the American Baptist Women Ministries (ABW); she served as President, Vice-President of Leaders in Development and Coordinator of Church and Community of the Executive Board. Thelma was a Circle Leader an Secretary for the Esther Circle and Carol Jean Halyard Circle. She was Vice-President of Missions for ABW of the Milwaukee Association and a member of the Board of Directors for the ABW Ministries of Wisconsin. Thelma also served as a volunteer for the Project Focal Point's food and clothing bank, She further served the Lord and Calvary by working with the Greeters Ministry, the Community Dinner Ministry, singing in the Gospel Chorus and she was the first Assistant Coordinator and Coordinator of the Golden Heirs Ministry, In addition, Thelma was a life time member of Church Women United and was recently selected as the First Vice-President. She was recognized by Calvary as the Honored Mother in 1981. She was also recognized for her dedicated service to ABW of Calvary Baptist Church in 1988, and she received the Harriett J.Battle award in 1993. Thelma described herself as a reluctant leader who has allowed herself to be used by God in ways she never could have imagined. She always said "the joy of the Lord is my strength" and she planned to spend her life reaching out to help others with a kind word or deed. Thelma put her family before herself throughout her journey here on Earth. When her mother became totally incapacitated from a stroke, she was the primary overseer of her care at the nursing home. Thelma insisted on washing her mother's clothing as needed personally, She remained a passionate matriarch of the family and stayed powerful until her final days. She repeatedly said she did not want her children to go through any pain and suffering. Her children and family on the other hand, were willing to do what was necessary to see her healthy, strong and with them as long as possible. God had a different plan. On Tuesday, February 10, 2015 God called Thelma home. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arthur Flowers, Sr.; sisters, Cleora Williams and Patsy Brown; and brothers, Dires Peace and Bruce Peace. She leaves to cherish her memory: her sister, Dr. Theadoll Taylor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Louvenia Handford; brother-in-law, Benjamin (Reba) Flowers of Chicago, Illinois; children, Frances (Jeffrey) Norris-Johnson, Arthur (Clover), Victor (Astrid) and Curtis (Bridget) Flowers; step-daughter, Arthereen Gerry) Lockhart; eleven grandchildren, Arthur Flowers III, Nicole Norris, Danielle (Bruce) Riley, Brandon (Elizabeth) Flowers, Nichelle (Randy) Hopkins, Jason Flowers, Alexandria Flowers, Corrine Lynesse Flowers, Breanna Peace Flowers, Bridgeman Arthell Flowers and Angela Lockhart; seven great-grandchildren, Jadia Chestnut, Ayanna Flowers, [ayla Hopkins, Marcus Wood, Jeneaya Johnson, Justice Riley and O'Sheyon Rollins; God-daughter/niece, Sonya Roohr; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Thelma Flowers

June 5, 1934 - February 10, 2015