THELMA WAS BORN ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1941, TO RICHARD J. JOHNSON SR. & ETHEL HOUSE JOHNSON OF EASTOVER, SC.   DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF MONDAY JULY 10, 2023, SHE ENTERED HER PHASE OF ETERNAL REST TO BE WITH HER LORD & SAVIOR.

SHE ATTENDED WEBBER SCHOOL, IN EASTOVER, SC. WHERE SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STRING, STARTER PLAYERS FOR THE GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM UNTIL HER GRADUATION, IN THE YEAR OF 1959.

HER FONDEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES WERE ALWAYS CENTERED AROUND HER PARENTS, HER AUNTS, UNCLES AND COUSINS BUT ESPECIALLY HER 3 SIBLINGS AS SHE AFFECTIONATELY REFERRED TO AS "SIS, BRUH & BRUH".

AFTER GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL, SHE ATTENDED WAVERLY BEAUTY SCHOOL IN COLUMBIA, SC., WHERE SHE GRADUATED AND RECEIVED HER LICENSE IN COSMETOLOGY.

IN 1962, SHE RELOCATED TO WASHINGTON, DC. TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THE AREAS OF ADMINISTRATION AFTER ATTENDING THE CORTEZ PETERS BUSINESS SCHOOL, AND LATER BECAME EMPLOYED AS A CASE MANAGER WITH THE ANACOSTIA JUVENILE PROGRAM (AJP) IN WASHINGTON, DC.

IN 1963, SHE WAS UNITED IN HOLY MATRIMONY TO WILLIAM J. HENSON SR.

TOGETHER, THEY HAVE 6 CHILDREN.

IN 1977, AFTER RETURNING TO EASTOVER, SOUTH CAROLINA, SHE BECAME EMPLOYED WITH THE TOWN OF EASTOVER, SERVING IN SEVERAL CAPACITIES TO INCLUDE THE TITLE OF "TOWN SECRETARY".

SHE LATER BECAME EMPLOYED WITH THE RICHLAND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHERE SHE DEVOUTLY ASSISTED WOMEN & CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY PLANNING & WIC DEPARTMENTS.  AFTER 31 YEARS OF PROVIDING THIS MUCH NEEDED SERVICE, SHE OFFICIALLY RETIRED FROM HER POSITION, BUT NEVER RETIRED HER PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS.

AFTER OFFICIALLY RETIRING FROM HER PROFESSIONS, SHE LATER DECIDED TO CONTINUE USING HER "GOD GIVEN GIFTS & TALENTS" TO CONTINUE HELPING OTHERS. THATS WHEN SHE DECIDED TO ACCEPT THE POSITION AS MANAGER, FOR THE SENIOR RESOURCES CENTER (EASTOVER SITE), WHERE SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HANDLING ALL ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS, COORDINATING ACTIVITIES FOR THE SENIORS & TRANSPORTING THE SENIORS AT HER SEASONED AND BLESSED AGE OF 81 YEARS YOUNG.

IN 1990, SHE ATTENDED FLORAL DESIGN CLASSES AT MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE, WHERE SHE DESIGNED FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOMES, WEDDINGS, FUNERALS & OFFICE DECOR. HER ULTIMATE DREAM CAME TRUE WHERE SHE WAS ABLE TO WITNESS HER CREATIVENESS BY DESIGNING THE FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HER GRANDDAUGHTERS WEDDING HELD ON MAY 20, 2023.

SHE CONNECTED WITH SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS BUT RESPECTED LOVED THE ORDER OF EASTERN STAR, SOUTH CAROLINA COMBAT VETERANS GROUP AND SISTERS OF SUPPORT.

Viewing for the public will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023 from 3:00 - 6:00 pm at Leevy's Funeral Home, 9120 Garners Ferry Road, Hopkins, South Carolina.