Thelma Lee Ardrey passed peacefully at her home on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, while surrounded by her loving children. She was born on April 29, 1936, in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late Edward McClain, Sr. and Mary McKnight McClain. Thelma attended Charlotte Mecklenburg County Schools where she played the clarinet in the school band and was a member of the Glee Club and School Safety Patrol. She graduated from Plato Price High School in 1953 and furthered her education at Johnson C. Smith University and Central Piedmont Community College. Later in 1955, Thelma married her high school sweetheart; Edward Ardrey, Sr. Thelma's life reflected her core values of integrity, respect and unconditional love. She believed in hard work and valued that trait in others. Early in her life, she worked for several companies but she found her true calling as a store owner, real estate investor and entrepreneur. She was known and will be remembered as a successful, independent, entrepreneur who achieved financial independence through unbridled commitment and tenacity. Thelma joined Moore's Sanctuary A.M.E. Zion Church in her early years and remained a lifetime member. She worked tirelessly with various church ministries. Thelma lived a life of faith and frequently stated that she knew the Lord and trusted in His mercy and reverence. Thelma was preceded in death by her beloved husband Edward and youngest son, Edward Ardrey, Jr. ("Little Eddie"). Children left to cherish the memories are Julius Ardrey, Audrey Adair and Marcus Ardrey; three sisters, Betty Jo Bidgood, Rosetta Erwin, Julia Odueso; one brother, Odell McClain; and five grandchildren, Justin Ardrey, Jeremy Ardrey, Tiffany Ardrey, Evan Toatley and Marquise Ardrey. She also leaves a host of other relatives and friends whom she loved uniquely and unconditionally. In death as in life, Thelma continues to challenge us all to strive for excellence, dream big, set goals and work diligently to achieve each of them. As a child, Thelma had a vision that she would have a big house on a hill; it came true in life. And, now in death, Thelma is in the Lord's big house on the hill – her eternal resting place.