Thelma (DeBardelaben) Caver

                                                                       Thelma's Story

If you are reading this, then the 'Good Lord' has called me home.  I was born on September 9, 1934 during the Great Depression to Hattie DeBardelaben  and Robert Langford.  I was raised by my Mother.  "Mo'er"  or "Much".  my aunts, Rosa and Lula (Poona) DeBardelaben, and my grandparents, Forest and Louisa (Lu) Harmon DeBardelaben .  My friends and family affectionately called me "Bee,"  "Aunt Bee," or "Pheeny".

I learned at a very early age to trust God, was baptized, and joined Bethesda Baptist Church.  I served as a deaconess, sang in the choir, and served as the church custodian.  I remained a faithful member until my health declined.

On February 3, 1950, I married my friend and the love of my life, Albert, Albert William Caver, Sr., the son of Willie and Annie Crawford Caver.  We were blessed with nine children.  Life was sometimes very difficult, but I believed, "You Can Make It If You Try", and "Nothing Beats A Fail But A Try."  I could always find something to laugh about!

After working in the cotton fields, as a domestic  worker, and as a car wash employee;  I landed a job at a Victorian furniture factory in 1971.  I worked there until my retirement in 1997.

God gave me many talents!  I could feed a multitude with one chicken, vegetables from my garden, and a pan of cornbread.  Folks said,  my cakes were delicious.  I could repair anything broken from an iron to a car, sewed clothing for my children from flannel and flour sacks, and helped my granddaughters make clothing for their dolls.  I could do 'fifty-leven thing' at one time! God blessed us!  Albert and I accomplished a major dream to have all of our children  to graduate  from  college.

I look forward to reunting with loved ones who have gone on before me.  My son, Pete, passed on at age 7.  Albert, my husband of 61 years, passed on in 2011.  I am also looking forward to seeing my mother, my aunts, Lula and Rosa DeBardelaben, my brothers and sister, Bennie Motley, Willie DeBardelaben, and Lillie Mae Motley.  I know I will also see Abraham, who was a part of our lives for over years, and other close family and friends.

I leave to cherish our love and memories: my brother, Joe (Emma) DeBardelaben; my sister, Mary Lee (deceased-Wilson) Wright; children, Mary Ann (Billy) Armstrong, Joseph (Mary) Caver,  Melvia (Bill) Golson, Linda (Charles) Averthart, Afiya  (Wekesa) Madzimoyo, Ruby (deceased-Arthur) Caver-Brown, Hope(Jeff) Davis, and Eric William T. (Ashley), Summer, Charles (Danielle),Chinua, Ay(Misty) Caver; grandchildren, Ricky (Krista), Ashton (ChaDavia), Chris (Stephanie), Ashley, Melody, Robert, Rosa, Jhaslyn, Hallie, Alexa, Jay, Carson Eric; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Addae, Olaniyan, Nia, Anyanwu, Asetura, Anhur, Gaia, James Michael, and Rickey and Edward; honorary daughters, Zedora and Sonya; a host of nieces and nephews to carry on my legacy.

Until we meet again, please love and take care of each other.  Remember the things I taught you, and know "Love Covers A Multitude Of Sin!"

"It Is Well With My Soul!"

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thelma (DeBardelaben) Caver, please visit our floral store.