Honoring the Greatest Mother ever.
Who could have known just how wonderful a person Thelma Jean Dutton (Smith) was to become, or how many lives she would prove to enhance, when she was born on April 25, 1938. Although she was stunning in physical beauty, her inner beauty outshined it all.
She was born in McAndrews, Kentucky, to Oakley and Dessie Ivadean Dutton (Farley) as the eldest daughter of seven children.
Thelma grew up in Kentucky, where she worked hard to assist her mother in raising her siblings, learning very well the much-needed skills she would require later. She eventually moved to Michigan with her family and continued her schooling through the 11th grade. She wanted to go on to become a doctor, but her love for her new husband, whom she married on April 8, 1955, helped her make a choice that we all benefited from. To raise a family with Estell Emmett Smith.
And what a job they did. Thelma proved to be a loving, dedicated, diligent and thorough mother to all seven of her children, namely Veronica Kay Russell (Ben), Patricia Lynn Pimentel (William), Beatrice Karen Smith, Keith Edward Smith (Ruth), Pamela Louise Culler (Scott), Kenneth Dale Smith and Jeffrey Brian Smith (Heather), and to those she accepted as her extended children.
Mom worked a few jobs while raising us, but all along, she never failed to apply all the things that she learned growing up toward her children, with purpose and gratitude. She took raising her family seriously. She really loved all of us. The morals and strengths she instilled in her children will be carried forever by them. Not only to her children and their spouses, but also to her 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews as well.
She was well known for her skills in loving people, cooking, sewing and teaching. Her computer skills developed as necessary because she was never afraid to learn what she needed to provide for those who were her own. As valiant as anyone could be, she fought many physical battles simultaneously as she aged, believing she would win each of them. But sadly, we had to entrust her to our Heavenly Father on December 26, 2025.
Thelma was preceded in death by her wonderful husband, Emmett. Her parents, Oakley and Dessie Dutton; her brother, Oakley Jr.; and her sisters, Meldia, Nancy and Martha.
She is survived by all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her two sisters, Brenda Gail Martin and Judith Elaine Yates.
Truly, we would indeed be hard-pressed to ever find another person who we could hold a candle next to. Mom knew we would miss her. And she knew we loved her, and she will be forever in our hearts. She was cremated, so a celebration of her life will be held in mid-July.
Obituary composed by the family of Thelma Jean Smith. www.beaconfh.com
