Thelma Fife

OAKWOOD - Thelma (Thacker) Fife went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 91 on October 1, 2025, at Defiance Inpatient Hospice. She was born August 15, 1934, in Red Creek, Kentucky to the late Jesse and Manie (Childress) Thacker.

Thelma graduated from Hellier High School, Kentucky in 1952. She was married to Jack Fife, who preceded her in death in 2008. Together they raised four sons: Gary, Tim, Kevin and Fred in Kentucky, Detroit, and settling in Oakwood, Ohio.

Some of Thelma's favorite hobbies include garage saling and antique shopping. She could spot a good deal or diamond in the ruff from a mile away. Thelma could always drive a hard bargain, but always in fairness and always as sweet as could be.

Thelma loved to cook wonderful meals for her family. She would prepare Thanksgiving and Christmas with some of the best food you have ever had, everything from scratch. Thelma would be quick to remind you that the most important ingredient was love, and she put it in everything that she did.

Thelma was a fierce, gentle, loving, selfless mother and grandmother who was tougher than nails and sweeter than molasses. Although small in stature she would fend off a grizzly bear to protect her family.

Thelma had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world. Greeting you with a smile that lit up the room or simply saying "bless your heart". With Thelma, you knew these were more than just words, but that she meant it with all her heart and soul.

Thelma could comfort and soothe in a way unlike anyone else, and this world is truly at a loss without her in it. To those lucky enough to call her family or friend, her memory will be a constant blessing.

The most important thing to Thelma was her faith in Jesus Christ. Thelma lived out every day striving to be like Jesus. She did All things in the fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. She loved to worship with her church family at the Church of Christ in Paulding.

She is survived by two sons: Tim Fife (Lori) and Kevin Fife; five grandchildren: Jeremy Fife (Christine), Joy Fife, Cody Fife (Karri), Sean Fife and Scott Vogel (Chelsi); ten great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by two sons: Gary Fife and Fred Fife; two sisters and eight brothers.

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them."-Revelation 14:13

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m., Monday, October 6, 2025, at Paulding Church of Christ with Brian Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Saint Paul Cemetery, Paulding. Visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Oakwood and 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday prior to the service at Paulding Church of Christ.

Memorial donations may be made to Paulding Church of Christ.

Condolences may be expressed at www.heitmeyerfuneralhome.com