“Thelma's love for her family was an anchor for all. A daily phone call to Grandmom Alma and Grandpop Ernest was a standard, as well as always being available to all. Once you met ?Thelma, you would fall in love with her."
Thelma was born in Philadelphia to Renee Stevens and David Tabon. She graduated from Overbrook High School in 2005. She studied nursing for a time, receiving support from the city Office of Vocational Servcies. She completed an internship and was employed as a teacher's aide at a local day-care center.
Thelma faithfully attended the family church, Truth Baptist, at 56th Street and Lansdowne Avenue. She loved hanging out with cousins, and often could be found at Aunt Pat Fletcher's house in West Philly. Thelma obviously felt most comfortable with her extended family.
"Thelma truly loved and valued her family," Pat said.
"She was very motivated and goal-directed," said family friend Jean Waites-Howard, an evangelist and social worker. "She was loved by everyone she met."
Thelma loved shopping, the movies and being at Baker's Playground on Lansdowne Avenue, where she would hang out with the staff and spend hours in the pool.
She is survived by her parents, Renee and David, and stepmother, Mary; three brothers, Christopher Stevens, David Tabon and Eric Tabon; her grandparents, Ernest and Alma Williams and Joanne Stevens and David Snyder.
Services: Were Saturday. Burial was at Merion Memorial Park, Bala Cynwyd. n
Contact John F. Morrison at 215-854-5573 or morrisj@phillynews.com, or on Twitter @johnfmorrison.
