Thelma C. Harrold

Thelma Claudine Hickman Harrold was born on September 18, 1922 and departed this world on March 22, 2021 at 98 years old. She is the sixth of seven children to Elgin Merle Hickman and Lorana Chapman Hickman. They lived on a farm south of Ridgeway, Missouri, in Harrison County. I have heard my grandmother, Lorana Hickman, tell how she put the children to bed laying crossways because the house was so small there was no room for more beds. The house was still standing when I lived in the area and it really was that small. I believe it was two rooms and a path in which to keep seven children. Thelma attended Pleasant Valley country school until she was in the seventh grade, when the family moved to another farm, with a bigger house. She then continued school at Ridgeway Public School in Ridgeway, Missouri.

Thelma attended school until the 10th grade when she left to marry Joseph Arnold Harrold, the love of her life, on September 16, 1939. She and uncle Arnold, as he was known, became the parents of four children; Zerita Ruth Harrold (Frank) Marshall, Ricky Lane, and Rodney and Randy Harrold, twin sons. In her 40s, after her children were older, Thelma went to night school and earned her GED. She was then employed by the Veteran Hospital in the records department until she retired.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arnold, all four of her children and all six of her siblings; Juanita Hickman Craig, Leroy Merle Hickman, Hazel Lavaughn Hickman Eivins, Garvin Hickman, Dorothy Rhea Hickman Roberts, and Delores Hickman Damewood. She is the last of that generation of Hickman’s. Those of us here know we have been left a great legacy to live up to.

Thelma did not have an easy life, she and Zerita cared for Arnold as he suffered and died of lung cancer. Ricky was still born, and Rodney was born with spina bifida, which there were not many treatments available for 70 years ago. Her son Randy served a tour in Vietnam and died later, as a result from the trauma he suffered there. She was so proud of her daughter Zerita, who became a registered nurse before she passed at an early age from pituitary cancer. Frank Marshall, the son in law who helped her a lot in her care, passed away from pancreatic cancer. All that would make most of us just quit, but not Aunt Thelma. All who have cared for her recently know that she did not quit. She also always kept her smile and her sense of humor.

I recall one trip I took with her to the Amish community in Jamesport, Missouri. Well, I always drove when we traveled and I am directionally challenged, so occasionally we wound up where we did not want to go. On this occasion, I left Jamesport on the wrong road. Thelma didn’t say much, but along the way, we met an Amish wagon hauling a new outhouse down the road. I had to rescue a little honor for myself so I said, “Now Aunt Thelma, if I had not taken you on the scenic route, you never would have seen an outhouse in transport.” We laughed about that one all the way home and many trips later she would say, “Are we looking for an outhouse in transport?” That is not to say that she didn’t get annoyed with me, many times.

She is survived by two grandsons and their spouses; Eric and Christine Marshall, and Marc and Susanna Marshall. Four great-grandchildren; Makayla Marshall (John) Whittle, Jeffrey Marshall, Allie Marshall, and Anna Marshall, all of whom are living in Colorado, a bunch of nieces and nephews, including myself, Wilma, who has cared for her for several years. She leaves many friends from Terrace Lake Methodist Church, quilting clubs, and square dancing clubs when Uncle Arnold was still able to go.

All the family wishes to thank everyone who prayed for her and helped her along the way, and a special thanks to the staff at Monterey Park Care Center for their care. The pandemic did not make it easier but they were faithful. Many thanks. Thelma finished her course with honor and is at rest. She will be missed here.

Visitation will be 10AM, service at 10:30AM, Thursday, March 25 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, Missouri; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be 10AM, service at 10:30AM, Thursday, March 25 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, Missouri; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.