Thelma Frances Aman Rochelle Obituary (1924 - 2021)

Thelma Frances Aman Rochelle, 97, was welcomed home by her Heavenly Father, after a battle with Alzheimer's, on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Thelma was preceded in death by her father, William Frank Aman; mother, Clara Thompson Aman; husband, Carl Isaac Rochelle; son, William Carl Rochelle; sister, Bessie Aman Cole and brothers, Durwood and Raymond (Billy) Aman. She is survived by her children Frances Worth Kelly of Mt. Olive; Bobby Rochelle and wife Esther of Fayetteville; Barbara Lewis of Eastover; David Rochelle and partner Michelle of North Augusta, SC; Jo Ann Wilkie and husband Johnny of Fayetteville; Carey Rochelle and wife Joanna of Queen Creek, AZ; and Alan Wilkie and wife Jean of Fayetteville. She is also survived by her 20 grandchildren, 44 Great Grandchildren and four Great-Great Grandchildren Thelma was born in Jacksonville, NC on January 17, 1924 to Frank and Clara Aman, the third of four children. When Thelma was a young child, she contracted Rubella resulting in severe hearing loss. She learned to read lips to communicate, as she did not receive her first hearing aid until after she was married. Thelma thrived in grade school and high school, going on to attend Women's College in Greensboro and then to the NC School for the Deaf in Raleigh where she studied Secretarial Skills. Thelma met her husband Carl in 1944 at a country square dance when he was home on leave from the Army. They married on September 2, 1945 and began their life of moving with the military. Their family grew over time to include seven children and several pets. She was a homemaker and loved her children - staying involved in their activities. She attended little league practices and games, became a Den Mother for Cub Scouts and served in various positions working with children in her church. The family was always taking impromptu weekend trips to discover the areas where they lived, but always making it back home in time for church on Sunday. After years of traveling with the military, the family made Spring Lake their home and it remained so for 54 years. As the children married and grandchildren were born, Carl and Thelma stayed involved by attending ball games, church and school programs, pageants, taking the grandchildren camping or to amusements parks. Thelma and Carl never knew a stranger and there was always a place open at their table for one or more. They were affectionately known as Mom and Pop by their many "adopted" children. Thelma and Carl enjoyed traveling and went to Panama, Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Hawaii, and many other places. They also enjoyed going cross country in their camper and golfing with their sons, sons-in-law and grandsons. After Carl's death in 1995, Thelma continued to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She would go on hiking trips with them to the North Carolina mountains and on portions of the Appalachian Trail. She learned to maneuver a Kayak and continued to play golf until she was 90 years old. She still had a love for travel and was able to take trips to England, Ireland, Wales, Alaska, New York, New England, Arizona and many other places with her children. She also enjoyed trips with the Spring Lake Senior Center. Thelma loved sewing and cross stitching, watching old movies and reading. She loved her church and remained active. Thelma continued to live in her home in Spring Lake and it continued to be the center of family activities and get-togethers until her health became such that she could no longer live alone. She was living in Mt. Olive with her daughter when she left this life peacefully - surrounded by her loving family as she went to meet Jesus. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, February 15, 2021 at Central Baptist Church in Spring Lake, NC at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Ron Snow and the Reverend Joshua Tadlock officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens and will be conducted by the Reverend Jesse Hunt. Viewing will take place one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Service from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Central Baptist Church, 602 Spring Avenue, Spring Lake, NC 28390 in memory of Thelma. Service entrusted to Adcock Funeral Home and Crematory, Spring Lake.