Thelma Doles Carpenter

While at her home in Newport News, Virginia, Angels of Mercy called Thelma Doles Carpenter to her eternal rest just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. She was surrounded by family members.
Thelma was born on March 15, 1934, in Newport News to the late Junius and Katie Mae Lyons. She was reared with five siblings: Christine Howard, Jerome Lyons, Ernest Lyons, Patricia Fleming, and Junius Lyons. All her siblings preceded her in death except her brother, Ernest.
Thelma attended Huntington High School and worked many years as a housekeeper for private families and The Chamberlain Hotel. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age. She valued her Christian roots and instilled those values in her children while encouraging them to be loving, forgiving, and caring adults. Her faith and commitment sustained her and provided the strength needed to persevere and endure many losses within her immediate family.
Thelma married Thomas Jefferson (T.J.) Doles at the age of 15, but the union did not last. She and T.J. divorced and years later she married her second husband, Edward Rochelle Carpenter. They remained united until he passed in 1970. Widowed at the young age of 36, she raised her children on her own.
Thelma had nine children: five sons and four daughters. Three of her sons preceded her in death: Barry (Brenda) Lyons, William (Doretha) Doles, Raymond (Shirley) Doles. Her surviving children still reside in Hampton and Newport News: Jeanette Doles, Joyce Taylor, Linda Leonard, Lisa Patton, Edward Carpenter and Michael (Sheri) Carpenter.
Thelma was blessed to have 25 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, 14 great, great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and other extended family including honorary ones she welcomed with loving arms. In her golden years, she was affectionately known to everyone as Gee Gee. She enjoyed playing cards, eating good food at family gatherings, and laughing with family and friends. She was a lovely, kind lady who always had a smile. Gee Gee departed this life to reunite with family members anxiously awaiting her arrival in Heaven, including her grandson, Harrvion Carpenter.
A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel.
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