Thelma J. DeWitt

Thelma Jane DeWitt, age 86 (45 in normal human years) passed away on June 3, 2017 at Florida Hospital Waterman. Thelma was born May 8th in St. Theresa, Kansas to the late John and Josephine Graff. She was the second to youngest of 14 children, twelve preceded her in death. Thelma grew up on a farm in Marienthal, Kansas and after high school went on to become a licensed cosmetologist. She met and fell in love with Bruce L. DeWitt, a navy man, while he was stationed there as well. After just a couple of dates Bruce was so taken with Thelma he asked her to marry him, only to be transferred shortly after. Although separated by coasts the two wrote many letters. Thelma and a friend than decided to do their part and set off to Washington D.C. to work as clerks for the Navy Bureau. She later relocated with Bruce to Indiana, where they got married in 1955. The couple settled in Spiceland, Indiana where they raised their children; Jeffrey, Kathleen and Charmaine. Thelma spent more than 25 years in Spiceland running her own beauty shop before moving to Tavares, Florida in 1982 with her husband and youngest daughter. Her older two children soon followed. Thelma was a dedicated and hard worker, after retiring from the beauty field she went to work at Long and Scott's Farm as the "Queen of Produce", where she remained employed for nearly 20 years. Thelma was a caring and loving person, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Family and friends were very important to her and she loved any chance to spend time with them. Thelma was small in stature, but a life force to be reckoned with. She was a women of great faith and believed God can get you through anything. A few things she enjoyed from a list of many were gardening, baking and collecting cookbooks. She will be remembered not only for the good things she did but also the heart, love and life she inspired in those who were blessed to have known her. She will be missed beyond measure. "Love is stronger than death!" Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, twelve of her brothers and sisters and her daughter Kathleen. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bruce DeWitt; Son-Jeffrey DeWitt; Daughter-Charmaine Holder, Son-in-Law-Ralph Holder, four grandchildren- Jessica, Joe, Rodman and Mitchell, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and many friends. If you wish to do something in her memory extend a kindness to someone in need, as she did so very often.

Thelma J. DeWitt

May 8, 1931 - June 3, 2017