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Thelma Taylor’s life was a little bit different than most. First, she was one of 15 children of Claude and Emma Brewer Timbs, and she was married to the same man, Louis Vaughn Taylor, for 60 years. Secondly, she carried the mail for a number of years in Johnson City, which traditionally was thought of as a man’s job.

She also worked as a stay-at-home mom when her daughters were younger. Before she began delivering the mail, she worked for a short time at the East Tennessee Undergarment Plant and as a substitute teacher. But her job as a mail carrier was the one she worked at the longest and perhaps enjoyed the most. “She met a lot of good people on her route and became friends with many of them,” said her daughter, Lisa McGinnis.

Lisa shared that when her mother began delivering the mail, her father, Von, as he was known to most people, bought her mother a mail jeep and kept it going for her. Described as a good driver by her daughter, Thelma began as a substitute driver and drove in all kinds of weather.

Lisa described her mother as a “good mother.” “She was always there for me and my sister,” Lisa said. In addition to Lisa, Thelma was also mother to Suzanne Archer and had two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Lisa said her mother enjoyed gardening and canning what she grew. “She always grew a lot of vegetables, which she canned or froze for use during the winter months. She canned everything from green beans to homemade salsa and spaghetti sauce,” said Lisa.

Thelma was an active member of Union Hill Free Will Baptist Church as long as she was able to attend. She was active in the women’s group at the church and did a lot of cooking for dinners, homecomings, funerals, and other happenings at the church. She also enjoyed helping with Vacation Bible School.

Lisa said holidays and birthdays were big events for her mother. She always enjoyed hosting birthday parties and holiday dinners for the family. She also shared that her mother and daddy enjoyed playing cards on the weekend—Rook and Canasta. For many years, their card-playing partners were Ruby and Mike Wilson, and Thelma made cookies, cakes, or some dessert for the event.

Also, Lisa noted that when she and her sister were younger, the family went camping every weekend.

“My mom was a very kind and giving person, and she enjoyed people. For the past three years, she had lived with me. She had Lewy body dementia. I’m just thankful that I was able to take care of her,” said Pat.

Many of her friends at church and neighbors remember her smile and big hello greeting that was often accompanied by laughter.

A long-time friend wrote on the funeral home page: “She now is tending to the most beautiful flowers and gardens. She was truly a deacon’s wife and servant to others.”

Another described Thelma as a “prayer warrior and a Godly woman.”

Her memory will live on through family, friends, and church family. So many were blessed to have known and been loved by her.

Thelma, who was 83 this past November, was laid to rest on Feb. 23 in the Blevins Cemetery on Stoney Creek.