Thelma Imogene Bessie (Culpepper) Allen

HER STORY...

 Thelma Imogene Bessie Culpepper Allen was born August 19, 1934 in Bay City, Michigan, to Mitchell and Carolyn Burroughs Culpepper who preceded her in death.

Being a preacher’s daughter, the family lived in various places, but she settled in Michigan City Indiana. While in Michigan City, Thelma was employed at Plastic Masters. She trained workers on various jobs at this factory. After serving 30+ years, she retired and started volunteering at First United Methodist Church soup kitchen ministry. Thelma loved feeding God’s people and spreading the gospel. Family love was an emotion that Thelma cherished. She loved watching boxing (Muhammed Ali), baseball (Pittsburgh Pirates), western movies (John Wayne or Little House on the Prairie) and eating at restaurants (any place with good baby back ribs) with grandkids. She was also loved for cooking her famous apple crisp, cheering from the bleachers, telling jokes or passing out rolls of quarters. This gave all of the kids joy.

“Love is what Love does” was her motto! Being the daughter of an A.M.E. minister, Thelma found Christ at an early age. She worked faithfully and served in various church capacities. She loved her church home at Community Christian Church. She had a passion for working with the youth. The kids and adults would call her Candy Lady. Her purse was filled with snickers, jolly ranchers, blow pops, and peppermint plus more. She organized activities like Christmas/Easter bags, plays, movie night, and fund-raising programs. In 2014, she relocated to Huntersville, North Carolina and joined Davidson Presbyterian Church. At Davidson, she was a faithful and dedicated member that was loved by all.

She was promoted to glory on August 27, 2023. She was predeceased by her 4 brothers (Mitchell Jr., Harold, Paul, Maurice Culpepper); 2 sisters (Clara McGee, Hazel Lindsey); 1 daughter (Karen Culpepper) and 1 granddaughter (LaTonya Littlejohn)

Mother Allen leaves to cherish 3 daughters- Carol Lindsey of Indianapolis, Indiana; Paula (Phillip) Kinney of Huntersville, North Carolina; Tempi (Robert) McDaniel of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 4 sons- Michael Allen of  Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Timothy Allen of Michigan City, Indiana; Brian Allen of Albuquerque, New Mexico; William (Susanna) Allen of Orange, California; one loving brother- Earl B. Culpepper of Baltimore, Maryland; 12 grandchildren- 19 great-grandchildren- 4 great- great grandchildren; special friends Francis Butler, Bernice Houston, Odessa Cunningham, CeCe Carpenter, and Gracious Living Adult Day & Health Care Center Staff and Owner along with a host of other relatives, Church family and friends.

Thelma's love, laughter, presence, and smile will be missed by all that knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 1pm at Community Christian Center Church 2820 E. Michigan Blvd. Michigan City, Indiana 46360 with Pastor Terry O'Neal to do Eulogy.

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