Thelma Louise Arey Ribelin

Thelma Louise Arey Ribelin, 94, of Gold Hill, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017 at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center in Salisbury, surrounded by her family. She was the loving wife of the late Baxter Ribelin who passed away in May of 1998 and whom she married April 24, 1943. Thelma was born on Oct. 24, 1922 in Rowan County to the late Eli Arey and Icy Cranford Arey. She attended and graduated from Richfield schools. In addition to raising her family, she worked as a bookkeeper for her husband's business for many years. Thelma was a member of Luther's Lutheran Church in Richfield. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and cooking. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, Thelma was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred and Mitchell Arey; and four sisters, Rena Mae Stokes, Irene Morgan, Beda Lipe and Doris Barringer. Thelma is survived by three daughters, Phyllis Alford and husband Jerry of Gold Hill, Peggy Sperber and husband Michael of Asheboro and Sue Harms of Jacksonville, Fla.; four grandchildren, Doodle Kenerly and wife Beth of Gold Hill, Carson Sperber of Asheboro, Nicholas Alford and wife Stacey of Gold Hill and Ashley Overcash and husband Stephen of Gold Hill; nine great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Visitation: A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at Powles Staton Funeral Home in Rockwell. Service: A service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 at 3 p.m. at Luther's Lutheran Church in Richfield with Rev. Tommy Beaver, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Thelma will lie in state from 2:30-3 p.m. in the church prior to the service. The family will be at the Ribelin home in Gold Hill for friends and family to visit this week prior to the service. Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Luther's Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, 4955 Richfield Rd., Richfield, NC 28137. Powles Funeral Home of Rockwell, honored provider of veteran's funeral care, is assisting the Ribelin family. Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com.