Thelma Tidwell

Thelma Edna Buck Tidwell or "Meme" as she was called by her adoring grandchildren, great grandchildren and many others died at the age of 93 on April 11, 2015. She was born on a farm in Liberty Hill, Williamson County, Texas on September 28, 1921 to Luther and Mary Hamilton Buck. She was the second of 11 siblings and the oldest girl.

Memorial services for Thelma will be held at 1:00 pm on May 2, 2015 at Congress Avenue Baptist Church (The Church on South Congress), 1511 South Congress, Austin, Texas.

Thelma leaves a loving family who will miss her dearly, her son Dick, Jr. and wife Mary, one granddaughter Kristine Shoults and husband Walter, one grandson Darryl Tidwell and wife Cassie, four great grandchildren Galen and Shawn Shoults, Cole and Ty Tidwell. She is also survived by three dear sisters Mildred Lawrence and husband Harold, Shirley Childers, Betty Italian, and brother-in-law Adolf "Sonny" Becker. Thelma is also survived by many wonderful and loving nieces and nephews.

Thelma was preceded in death by parents Luther and Mary Buck, father-in-law and mother-in-law Claude Tidwell, Sr. and Drucilla, her husband of over 40 years Richard B. Tidwell, Sr., son, Kenneth Tidwell and wife Gabriella. Also, brothers Weldon Buck and wife Othel, Herschel Buck and wife Dorothy Nell, Marvin Buck, sisters Dorothy Becker, Mary "Deanie" Williams and husband Alfred Lee, Ruby Wheeler and husband Murrel, Marie Law and husband Gene, brother-in-laws Fred Italian, Melvin Childers, Claude Tidwell and wife Francis, Mallory Tidwell and wife Kay, sister-in-law Vivian Metcalf and husband Tracy, Ethelbert Cochran and husband Haskell.

Thelma was employed during her lifetime at Texas Department of Public Safety for over 12 years. She then worked for Dr. Pepper and then Austin Coca Cola Bottling Company. She retired at the age of 67 as office manager/personnel director. After retirement she pursued her lifetime love of planting of flowers. Everywhere she lived she had flowers all around her, and when her health no longer permitted, she had great grandsons Galen and Shawn dig and plant flowers for her.

She traveled in her lifetime on vacations all over Texas, especially loving to go to the coast with her sister-in-law Francis. She traveled with her son Dick and family to Colorado and New Mexico. She enjoyed an extended trip to New England, New York and Canada for the fall foliage. She went on numerous trips with her sisters and granddaughter Kristy and Walt to Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Laughlin and on a cruise with her sisters to the Caribbean.

She went to California to be with her granddaughter Kristy when Galen and Shawn were born. She cherished being able to attend all family gatherings at Cassie and Darryl's home, especially their wonderful Thanksgiving dinners, birthday parties and all of the family gatherings at Mary and Dick's home.

In her lifetime she was never afraid to try new things, no matter what age. She took business classes in her late 30s. She took ballroom dancing in her 50s, learned to swim in her 60s, in her 70s she was walking 5 miles a day, and then at age 88 she conquered both breast cancer and lung cancer. At age 90 while preparing for her grandson Darryl and Cassie's wedding, she announced that she was going to get herself spray tanned and she did. Her other favorite pastime was shopping and she would lead or attend any marathon shopping trip, and no matter who she was with, she would outlast all of them. She took special pride in her grandchildren Kristy and husband Walt and Darryl and wife Cassie along with great grandchildren Shawn, Galen, Cole and Ty. She cherished her memories of taking care of Galen and Shawn while their mom worked when they were young. She was a strong supporter attending ball games for both of her grandchildren Kristy and Darryl and great grandson Cole and adored playing with her youngest grandchild Ty.

Her strong spirit and many years of guidance, love, hope and cherished memories live on in her family and she will be greatly missed by all.

Thelma's family give special thanks to the staff at her ALF, Golden Age Assisted Living in Lockhart, Texas for their love, care and the enjoyment she had while there during this last year. Also special thanks for the care and kindness from the staff at Magnolia Rehab and Nursing facility in Luling, Texas during the last few months of her life.

Memorial contributions in Thelma's name can be made to Congress Avenue Baptist Church (The Church on South Congress) 1511 South Congress, Austin, Texas, Golden Age Home Assisted Living, 1505 South Main, Lockhart, TX 78644 or to a charity of your choice.