Thelma Alene Marshall, 79, peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, at her home in Snowflake. A graveside service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the R.V. “Mike” Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake.
She was born to William Riley and Della (Jones) Gosage in Prescott on Dec. 22, 1935. At the age of 18 months, Della became ill and Thelma was raised by Ben and Evelin Foster, Della’s sister and brother-in-law, and they truly became her parents.
Thelma spent her younger years in Ft. Thomas working the family ranch before they moved to Mesa, where she attended her elementary school years. They then moved to Snowflake, where she attended Snowflake High School her sophomore through senior years, graduating in 1954. During high school Thelma was very active in the baton twirling squad, something she loved very much.
Following graduation Thelma met the love of her life, Ronald Marshall, at the 24th of July rodeo dance and in August they were married at the Ranch at the Point of the Mountain east of Snowflake. They were married for 61 years and 112 days before her passing.
Thelma and Ronald lived in Snowflake until after the birth of their first child, Benda in 1955 when they moved to Mesa. It was there that their second child, Todd, was born in 1959, and they spent several more years in the Valley. They then moved to Colorado, where they raised their family for over 30 years.
It was in Colorado that Thelma learned the art of China painting, a hobby she enjoyed until her health no longer allowed her to paint. After her children had grown and married, she spent many years as a secretary for her husband Ronald.
Following Ronald’s retirement, they moved back to Snowflake where they have resided for the last 22 years.
Thelma loved being around her family, reminiscing of old times. She was a very loving person who always thought of others. She never forgot a birthday, and her family always looked forward to their birthday cards with the familiar $2 bill inside. She enjoyed traveling and spending time in Cancun, snorkeling and visiting the ruins. She enjoyed everything tropical. She also enjoyed spending her time in Las Vegas and the National Finals Rodeo every year. She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A wonderful wife, mother, sister and friend, Thelma will be deeply missed.
Survivors include her loving husband, Ron Marshall; daughter, Benda Joyce Walin and husband, Don; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joyce Parrish and husband, Dwain, and Judy Hall and husband, Eddie; and a brother, JR Jones and wife, Lynette.
She was preceded in death by her son, Todd in 1993 and a sister, Peggy Foster in 2014.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low and Snowflake was in charge of the arrangements.
