Thelma Odessa Watkins Wall

OBITUARY
THELMA ODESSA WATKINS WALL
On Monday, November 20, Thelma entered quietly into eternal life after years of failing health. Thelma was born in Smithfield, North Carolina to the late Pauline Smith Watkins and the late Ulysess Watkins, Sr. She was the fourth child of six children born into this union. She was preceded in death by two sisters: Sarah Louise Watkins Windley, Hildred Bernice Watkins Clark Sanders, and two brothers: George Riley Watkins, and John Woodley Watkins.
Thelma is survived by her husband of sixty-four years, Quinton King Wall of Smithfield. She was the mother of two daughters, Sylvia Anjanette Wall of Greenville, North Carolina and Loretta Noreen Wall of Sumter, South Carolina. Thelma is survived by a brother, Ulysess Watkins, Jr. and his wife Ernestine of Springfield Gardens, New York and a sister-in-law, Oreta Barnes Watkins (the late John Woodley Watkins) of Hampton Virginia. Thelma is remembered by a host of loving nieces, nephews, The Watkins Family Circle, relatives and friends.
Thelma began her teaching career at Carver High School, Mt. Olive, North Carolina. She then became a primary grade teacher at Short Journey School and Princeton Elementary School, retiring after thirty-nine years as an educator. She wrote the following words of wisdom for the occasion: "Obey your parents, study hard, and obey God's commandments. Those who achieve success do not stop. They never become complacent. They keep learning and looking for new knowledge. Never think you have made it. There is always more to learn and do." The Johnston County Education Foundation, an organization in which she served for twenty-eight years, has established an annual scholarship in her honor, awarded to teachers for support of innovative teaching methods.
Thelma joined The First Missionary Baptist Church at the age of ten where three years later she became the pianist for the Sunday School. Over the years, she served as substitute organist and pianist for several churches in Johnston County. She agreed to substitute at Juniper Grove Disciple Church, Four Oaks, NC, one Sunday and remained as pianist for fifteen years. At First Missionary Baptist Church, Thelma served as Director of Christian Education, Sunday School Teacher, member of the Senior Choir and the Deaconess Ministry. She served as Clerk of the Church for forty-nine years.
Music, especially solo vocal and choral music, was Thelma's passion. Thelma was a Charter Member of the Johnston County Choral Society where, as a soprano, she sang at the White House (under the Reagan Administration) for the National Prayer Breakfast. She also sang at Carnegie Hall, New York City in the performance of Franz Joseph Haydn's "Mass in Time of War," conducted by John Rutter.
Thelma also enjoyed travel. She toured England, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, the Vatican, Ghana, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and many of the Caribbean Islands.


Wake:
Monday, November 27
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
First Missionary Baptist Church
403 Caswell St.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Ceremonies of Organizations:
Tuesday, November 28
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
First Missionary Baptist Church
403 Caswell St.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Funeral Service:
Tuesday, November 28
12:00 PM
First Missionary Baptist Church
403 Caswell St.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Interment:
Tuesday November 28
Selma Memorial Gardens
Selma, NC 27576