Thelma Lillian Joseph (Powers) died peacefully at home on April 26, 2018 in Big Water, Utah at the age of 98.
Thelma is survived by her children, Fred Siphakis – Montana, Diana Banfill (Warren) –Big Water, Utah, Michael Joseph (Venita)- Colo.; sister, Bill Wall –Calif. She is preceded in death by her husband, Alexander Joseph – Newman, Calif; son, Alex Joseph, Big Water, Utah.
Thelma was born on July 28, 1919, in Oklahoma to William and Maggie Powers. At the age of nine her family moved west to California. She married Alexander Joseph, her high school sweetheart in 1935. Over a period of 11 years the couple welcomed four children into their home. Widowed in 1946 she moved to Modesto, Calif. with her children. Thelma began working in the meat packing industry. Her children remember her as a very proud, hard-working woman determined to keep her family together and support her children.
Family was always very important to her. After retirement, she moved with her elderly parents to Montana to be near her son Fred and his family. She cared for both of her parents until they passed away. After the death of her father, Thelma moved south to Big Water, Utah to be near her eldest son Alex, and daughter, Diana. It is here she spent the last 20 years of her life.
Thelma was the matriarch of an extensive family who loved her dearly. She is survived by 38 grandchildren (seven grandchildren preceded her in death), 103 great-grandchildren and 31 great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial will be held for friends and loved ones at a later date in Big Water, Utah and also in Montana.
