Thelma Light Obituary
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November 27, 1919 – August 30, 2025
Thelma Dean Johnson Light, age 105, passed away peacefully in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her devoted companion of 57 years, Donald "Sonny," and family by her side.
Born on November 27, 1919, in Kentucky, Thelma's extraordinary life spanned more than a century. She witnessed world wars, moon landings, and the rise of the digital age-all while leaving a legacy of love, strength, and style.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cecil E. Light, and her children, Cecelia Light Kellermeier (Vernon) and Gary Light (Kelly). Thelma's seven grandchildren-Kevin (Heidi), Chris, Mistee, John (Dana), Kelly, Buck (Angelique), and Gary Jr.-survive her, along with numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Spanning five generations, her family was blessed to know her warmth, hear her stories, and learn from her enduring wisdom.
In 1920, the ratification of the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote-a fitting milestone for a woman who embodied independence and resilience throughout her life. Always ahead of her time, Thelma became an early entrepreneur, running the family store before buying and operating her own shops and housing developments.
Thelma's vibrant spirit never dimmed. She adored the music of Liberace, found thrill (and luck!) in horse racing, and faced each day with her signature eyelashes and lipstick. With sass in her step and a sparkle in her eye, she lived with elegance, humor, and grit.
A Celebration of Life will be held later this year, with details to follow. Thelma's memory will forever live on in the generations she inspired, the lives she touched, and the sass she carried so effortlessly. She showed us all how to age with grace, laugh often, and live boldly. A life well-lived, a spirit well-loved.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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