Thelma Ann Beaston Thompson

Thelma was born November 9, 1946, to John & Jennive Beaston. A Kelso graduate of 1965, she married James Wayne Thompson that same year and remained KELSO-STRONG her entire life. Enjoying sports, trivia, family outings, meeting with high school "cronies" & her circle of lifelong friends, who were like family, for monthly luncheons, bible study & services with her two Churches, not missing her morning reading & making notes in her favorite Bible up to her very last day. Thelma was quick & eager to share photos (many taken without others' knowledge, which drove us nuts!) from all her outings & endeavors, a "full-of-random facts" & "numbers person", she was a complete music lover, car enthusiast (famously racing Indy Way back in the day) and all-around social butterfly. Having way more energy than all of us put together, she kept herself busy on the daily. Never, ever passing up the opportunity to do for others, she was the first to help with anything & everything and ALWAYS the first to arrive at any function, quick to ask what she could do to help. Thelma was proud of being a part of the McDonald's Women's Softball team in the 70's-80's, she was a top-ranked pitcher for several years, winning locally, state-wide and traveling to Texas to take national honors on more than one occasion. In addition to tap dancing, bowling, pinochle and being an excellent pool shooter, Thelma enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family, regardless of whether it was a simple BBQ, tossing corn-hole, a holiday dinner or zipping around family property in what we deemed her WHIP (side-by-side), she was always up for whatever family-time involved. She loved kayaking, yacking and made a fully clothed entrance into the pool at our last family reunion just days before passing. Thelma left us very unexpectedly & suddenly on August 26, 2024, peacefully & surrounded by her family. She & Jim have two daughters, Diana (Jimmy Downing), Debi (Gary Trull), grandchildren Taryn (Jason Nelson), Kyliegh (Brad Snead), Emory (Aaron Storedahl), Mason Amren (Lauren), 7 great-grandchildren Brock, Fiona, Lilly, Zella, Laine, Graham & Sawyer. Thelma was crushingly preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, brothers Jim & Randy, grandsons Gage Harlin (2015) & Logan Kallwick (2023) and friend Bob Schneider just 20 days prior. She is survived by her family & many, many special friends from different factions. For those wishing to attend, a casual mingle in Thelma's honor will be held November 17th @ 2 pm at the Kelso Elks. In lieu of flowers, the family asks a contribution be made to your favorite local charity in her memory.