Thelma Paralee Gunn-Martin, was one of two children born to Warren Columbus Kimbrough and Gertrude Ollie Hubbard-Kimbrough. Her sibling was Juanita Louise Kimbrough-Pendleton. Thelma was born on January 5, 1916, in St. Joseph Missouri.
Thelma P. Martin was a very strong, bright and brilliant woman. She and her sister grew up without their mom. Their mom died when they were 5 and 7 of tuberculosis. Thelma was the youngest of the two. She was a very hard worker. She always wanted the best for her family. Thelma was a multi-task woman who loved to sew, cook, sing, dance, shop and interior decorator.
Thelma and her sister Juanita were raised by their father, grandmother (Lula Hoagg who was a Cherokee or Blackfoot Indian). The girls would travel back and forth from Omaha, to Missouri on the train and sometimes to Portland, Oregon.
Thelma and Juanita were very blessed children. As children they had the privileged of going to the movies, when other children could not afford to go. After the movies, the two sisters would put on a dress-up stage performance for the neighborhood children. They did this every time they went to the movies.
Both sisters attended Boarding School. The school must have been a nightmare, they often shared stories about the bedbugs, and the nuns being so mean. They weren't there for very long.
January 12, 1935 Thelma married Oscar Gunn to this union four children were born Arnold, Lawrence (Pinkie), Henry and Barbara. The family lived in St. Joseph, Missouri but later moved to Omaha, Ne. Thelma and her husband moved in with her sister and her husband. The household consisted of four adults and nine children. The house still stand on 25th & Blondo St. in Omaha, NE.
In 1940, she worked for Ralston Purina Company this was a sewing factory (as a tailor)where she was promoted as an sewing instructor for the company. She not only made clothes but curtains and drapes as well. While working she injury herself. She received a settlement for this.
July 1945, Oscar and Thelma marriage dissolved.
On July25, 1950 Thelma married Lawrence Martin . To this union no children were born. They were a very happy couple. They would go out ballroom dancing and many more social events. To everyone surprise their marriage ended in 1967. Lawrence also passed away that year.
In the 1950's Thelma worked for Dr. Aaron McMillan. She was the receptionist, nurse assistant, bookkeeper etc. She always worn a white uniform. Her work schedule was Tuesday -Saturday. My brother and I would always run to meet her when she got off from work. Her job was just a block away from home. Dr. McMillan offered to give her a car but she refused it. She would renew her driver license every four year, but she would never drive.
1968 Thelma felled down a flight of steps at work. She broke her kidney and had to have surgery. Months later she develop cancer. She was determine to fight through it. She never complain. She continue her life as normal and for years it did seem normal. She continue to work at Dr. McMillan' office. On days that she was unable to work, her daughter Barbara would go in her place. On the weekend her granddaughter Kathy would go for her. She worked for Dr. Mac for over 25 years.
Thelma was an active member at Ebenezer Baptist church. She worked on the usher board and other committee both she and her sister Juanita. Thelma would always sing hymns and pray. Even though, she quit going to church due to some hardship feeling, she made sure that her grandchildren would attend.
Her homemade cooking was to die for. It was always mouth watering. We always had sit down family meals. On cold days, hot cocoa, cream of wheat, oatmeal, bacon and eggs etc. would be placed on table before we went to school She had all her family spoiled. She helped raised her daughter Barbara's children.
Monday was her off days she would go shopping and iron everyone clothes. One of her grandchild was truly spoiled, she would iron his boxer short! How spoiled is that?
Her love was truly unconditional. When she told you not to do something you better had listen. She seem like she could predict things before it happen.
Friday, May 8, 1980, her last words to me was, "Hurry up and have that baby I can't hold on much longer and don't get me nothing for Mother's Day because I'm not going to be here."
Sunday, May 10, 1980, "Mother's Day", she ending her battle with Leukemia.
She leaves to mourns her beloved children Arnold, Lawrence (Pinkie), Henry and Barbara; sister Juanita Pendleton all of Omaha; 3 step-children Lawrence Jr., Donald and Vernon Martin; 26 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Interment - Rose City Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
Submitted by
Kathy
Thelma P. Martin was a very strong, bright and brilliant woman. She and her sister grew up without their mom. Their mom died when they were 5 and 7 of tuberculosis. Thelma was the youngest of the two. She was a very hard worker. She always wanted the best for her family. Thelma was a multi-task woman who loved to sew, cook, sing, dance, shop and interior decorator.
Thelma and her sister Juanita were raised by their father, grandmother (Lula Hoagg who was a Cherokee or Blackfoot Indian). The girls would travel back and forth from Omaha, to Missouri on the train and sometimes to Portland, Oregon.
Thelma and Juanita were very blessed children. As children they had the privileged of going to the movies, when other children could not afford to go. After the movies, the two sisters would put on a dress-up stage performance for the neighborhood children. They did this every time they went to the movies.
Both sisters attended Boarding School. The school must have been a nightmare, they often shared stories about the bedbugs, and the nuns being so mean. They weren't there for very long.
January 12, 1935 Thelma married Oscar Gunn to this union four children were born Arnold, Lawrence (Pinkie), Henry and Barbara. The family lived in St. Joseph, Missouri but later moved to Omaha, Ne. Thelma and her husband moved in with her sister and her husband. The household consisted of four adults and nine children. The house still stand on 25th & Blondo St. in Omaha, NE.
In 1940, she worked for Ralston Purina Company this was a sewing factory (as a tailor)where she was promoted as an sewing instructor for the company. She not only made clothes but curtains and drapes as well. While working she injury herself. She received a settlement for this.
July 1945, Oscar and Thelma marriage dissolved.
On July25, 1950 Thelma married Lawrence Martin . To this union no children were born. They were a very happy couple. They would go out ballroom dancing and many more social events. To everyone surprise their marriage ended in 1967. Lawrence also passed away that year.
In the 1950's Thelma worked for Dr. Aaron McMillan. She was the receptionist, nurse assistant, bookkeeper etc. She always worn a white uniform. Her work schedule was Tuesday -Saturday. My brother and I would always run to meet her when she got off from work. Her job was just a block away from home. Dr. McMillan offered to give her a car but she refused it. She would renew her driver license every four year, but she would never drive.
1968 Thelma felled down a flight of steps at work. She broke her kidney and had to have surgery. Months later she develop cancer. She was determine to fight through it. She never complain. She continue her life as normal and for years it did seem normal. She continue to work at Dr. McMillan' office. On days that she was unable to work, her daughter Barbara would go in her place. On the weekend her granddaughter Kathy would go for her. She worked for Dr. Mac for over 25 years.
Thelma was an active member at Ebenezer Baptist church. She worked on the usher board and other committee both she and her sister Juanita. Thelma would always sing hymns and pray. Even though, she quit going to church due to some hardship feeling, she made sure that her grandchildren would attend.
Her homemade cooking was to die for. It was always mouth watering. We always had sit down family meals. On cold days, hot cocoa, cream of wheat, oatmeal, bacon and eggs etc. would be placed on table before we went to school She had all her family spoiled. She helped raised her daughter Barbara's children.
Monday was her off days she would go shopping and iron everyone clothes. One of her grandchild was truly spoiled, she would iron his boxer short! How spoiled is that?
Her love was truly unconditional. When she told you not to do something you better had listen. She seem like she could predict things before it happen.
Friday, May 8, 1980, her last words to me was, "Hurry up and have that baby I can't hold on much longer and don't get me nothing for Mother's Day because I'm not going to be here."
Sunday, May 10, 1980, "Mother's Day", she ending her battle with Leukemia.
She leaves to mourns her beloved children Arnold, Lawrence (Pinkie), Henry and Barbara; sister Juanita Pendleton all of Omaha; 3 step-children Lawrence Jr., Donald and Vernon Martin; 26 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Interment - Rose City Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
Submitted by
Kathy
Thelma Paralee Gunn-Martin, was one of two children born to Warren Columbus Kimbrough and Gertrude Ollie Hubbard-Kimbrough. Her sibling was Juanita Louise Kimbrough-Pendleton. Thelma was born on January 5, 1916, in St. Joseph Missouri.
Thelma P. Martin was a very strong, bright and brilliant woman. She and her sister grew up without their mom. Their mom died when they were 5 and 7 of tuberculosis. Thelma was the youngest of the two. She was a very hard worker. She always wanted the best for her family. Thelma was a multi-task woman who loved to sew, cook, sing, dance, shop and interior decorator.
Thelma and her sister Juanita were raised by their father, grandmother (Lula Hoagg who was a Cherokee or Blackfoot Indian). The girls would travel back and forth from Omaha, to Missouri on the train and sometimes to Portland, Oregon.
Thelma and Juanita were very blessed children. As children they had the privileged of going to the movies, when other children could not afford to go. After the movies, the two sisters would put on a dress-up stage performance for the neighborhood children. They did this every time they went to the movies.
Both sisters attended Boarding School. The school must have been a nightmare, they often shared stories about the bedbugs, and the nuns being so mean. They weren't there for very long.
January 12, 1935 Thelma married Oscar Gunn to this union four children were born Arnold, Lawrence (Pinkie), Henry and Barbara. The family lived in St. Joseph, Missouri but later moved to Omaha, Ne. Thelma and her husband moved in with her sister and her husband. The household consisted of four adults and nine children. The house still stand on 25th & Blondo St. in Omaha, NE.
In 1940, she worked for Ralston Purina Company this was a sewing factory (as a tailor)where she was promoted as an sewing instructor for the company. She not only made clothes but curtains and drapes as well. While working she injury herself. She received a settlement for this.
July 1945, Oscar and Thelma marriage dissolved.
On July25, 1950 Thelma married Lawrence Martin . To this union no children were born. They were a very happy couple. They would go out ballroom dancing and many more social events. To everyone surprise their marriage ended in 1967. Lawrence also passed away that year.
In the 1950's Thelma worked for Dr. Aaron McMillan. She was the receptionist, nurse assistant, bookkeeper etc. She always worn a white uniform. Her work schedule was Tuesday -Saturday. My brother and I would always run to meet her when she got off from work. Her job was just a block away from home. Dr. McMillan offered to give her a car but she refused it. She would renew her driver license every four year, but she would never drive.
1968 Thelma felled down a flight of steps at work. She broke her kidney and had to have surgery. Months later she develop cancer. She was determine to fight through it. She never complain. She continue her life as normal and for years it did seem normal. She continue to work at Dr. McMillan' office. On days that she was unable to work, her daughter Barbara would go in her place. On the weekend her granddaughter Kathy would go for her. She worked for Dr. Mac for over 25 years.
Thelma was an active member at Ebenezer Baptist church. She worked on the usher board and other committee both she and her sister Juanita. Thelma would always sing hymns and pray. Even though, she quit going to church due to some hardship feeling, she made sure that her grandchildren would attend.
Her homemade cooking was to die for. It was always mouth watering. We always had sit down family meals. On cold days, hot cocoa, cream of wheat, oatmeal, bacon and eggs etc. would be placed on table before we went to school She had all her family spoiled. She helped raised her daughter Barbara's children.
Monday was her off days she would go shopping and iron everyone clothes. One of her grandchild was truly spoiled, she would iron his boxer short! How spoiled is that?
Her love was truly unconditional. When she told you not to do something you better had listen. She seem like she could predict things before it happen.
Friday, May 8, 1980, her last words to me was, "Hurry up and have that baby I can't hold on much longer and don't get me nothing for Mother's Day because I'm not going to be here."
Sunday, May 10, 1980, "Mother's Day", she ending her battle with Leukemia.
She leaves to mourns her beloved children Arnold, Lawrence (Pinkie), Henry and Barbara; sister Juanita Pendleton all of Omaha; 3 step-children Lawrence Jr., Donald and Vernon Martin; 26 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Interment - Rose City Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
Submitted by
Kathy
Thelma P. Martin was a very strong, bright and brilliant woman. She and her sister grew up without their mom. Their mom died when they were 5 and 7 of tuberculosis. Thelma was the youngest of the two. She was a very hard worker. She always wanted the best for her family. Thelma was a multi-task woman who loved to sew, cook, sing, dance, shop and interior decorator.
Thelma and her sister Juanita were raised by their father, grandmother (Lula Hoagg who was a Cherokee or Blackfoot Indian). The girls would travel back and forth from Omaha, to Missouri on the train and sometimes to Portland, Oregon.
Thelma and Juanita were very blessed children. As children they had the privileged of going to the movies, when other children could not afford to go. After the movies, the two sisters would put on a dress-up stage performance for the neighborhood children. They did this every time they went to the movies.
Both sisters attended Boarding School. The school must have been a nightmare, they often shared stories about the bedbugs, and the nuns being so mean. They weren't there for very long.
January 12, 1935 Thelma married Oscar Gunn to this union four children were born Arnold, Lawrence (Pinkie), Henry and Barbara. The family lived in St. Joseph, Missouri but later moved to Omaha, Ne. Thelma and her husband moved in with her sister and her husband. The household consisted of four adults and nine children. The house still stand on 25th & Blondo St. in Omaha, NE.
In 1940, she worked for Ralston Purina Company this was a sewing factory (as a tailor)where she was promoted as an sewing instructor for the company. She not only made clothes but curtains and drapes as well. While working she injury herself. She received a settlement for this.
July 1945, Oscar and Thelma marriage dissolved.
On July25, 1950 Thelma married Lawrence Martin . To this union no children were born. They were a very happy couple. They would go out ballroom dancing and many more social events. To everyone surprise their marriage ended in 1967. Lawrence also passed away that year.
In the 1950's Thelma worked for Dr. Aaron McMillan. She was the receptionist, nurse assistant, bookkeeper etc. She always worn a white uniform. Her work schedule was Tuesday -Saturday. My brother and I would always run to meet her when she got off from work. Her job was just a block away from home. Dr. McMillan offered to give her a car but she refused it. She would renew her driver license every four year, but she would never drive.
1968 Thelma felled down a flight of steps at work. She broke her kidney and had to have surgery. Months later she develop cancer. She was determine to fight through it. She never complain. She continue her life as normal and for years it did seem normal. She continue to work at Dr. McMillan' office. On days that she was unable to work, her daughter Barbara would go in her place. On the weekend her granddaughter Kathy would go for her. She worked for Dr. Mac for over 25 years.
Thelma was an active member at Ebenezer Baptist church. She worked on the usher board and other committee both she and her sister Juanita. Thelma would always sing hymns and pray. Even though, she quit going to church due to some hardship feeling, she made sure that her grandchildren would attend.
Her homemade cooking was to die for. It was always mouth watering. We always had sit down family meals. On cold days, hot cocoa, cream of wheat, oatmeal, bacon and eggs etc. would be placed on table before we went to school She had all her family spoiled. She helped raised her daughter Barbara's children.
Monday was her off days she would go shopping and iron everyone clothes. One of her grandchild was truly spoiled, she would iron his boxer short! How spoiled is that?
Her love was truly unconditional. When she told you not to do something you better had listen. She seem like she could predict things before it happen.
Friday, May 8, 1980, her last words to me was, "Hurry up and have that baby I can't hold on much longer and don't get me nothing for Mother's Day because I'm not going to be here."
Sunday, May 10, 1980, "Mother's Day", she ending her battle with Leukemia.
She leaves to mourns her beloved children Arnold, Lawrence (Pinkie), Henry and Barbara; sister Juanita Pendleton all of Omaha; 3 step-children Lawrence Jr., Donald and Vernon Martin; 26 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Interment - Rose City Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
Submitted by
Kathy
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See more Gunn-Martin or Kimbrough memorials in:
- Rose City Cemetery Gunn-Martin or Kimbrough
- Portland Gunn-Martin or Kimbrough
- Multnomah County Gunn-Martin or Kimbrough
- Oregon Gunn-Martin or Kimbrough
- USA Gunn-Martin or Kimbrough
- Find a Grave Gunn-Martin or Kimbrough
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