Thelma was born February 12, 1931 in Ashburn, Virginia and she resided in Leesburg, Virginia most of her life until she departed this world for Heaven at age 89 in Winchester, Virginia on July 14, 2020. She is survived by her three daughters: Dolores Howser, Della Farris and husband Bob, Donna Cawthron and husband Steve; her five grandchildren: Michelle Haddock and husband Dave, Chris Parsell, Justin Farris and wife Mollie, Heather Pritts and husband Keith, and Laura Cawthron; her great-grandchildren: Dylan Bellinger Haddock, Regan Parsell, Emma Farris and Hazel Farris; and her two sisters: Ruth Huckleberry, and Jane Mackie and husband Tad.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Sylvester Howser, and her brothers, Milton Cunningham, Lawrence Cunningham, Franklin Cunningham, Herbert Cunningham, and Milford Cunningham, and her parents, Dolph Cunningham and Marjorie Elliot Cunningham.  Thelma's favorite color was purple.

She always enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards, and she was famous for her three-bean salad and scrambled eggs. In her earlier years, she was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post 1177, taught Vacation Bible School at Leesburg United Methodist Church, and volunteered many hours mending books in the libraries of local elementary schools. Crocheting, quilting, and sewing were favorite hobbies, becoming proficient in all. In life, Thelma was very thoughtful, often sending cards for nearly every occasion; generous; charitable; had strong faith in God; and she had many life-long friends. She was dearly loved by family and friends and her smile will long be remembered.

She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Union Cemetery.  Due to COVID 19 graveside will be private with family only.