Mrs. Thelma Avery Mobley, 96, of Charlotte, NC departed this life on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Levine & Dickson.

Mrs. Thelma A. Mobley was born Willie Thelma Avery on June 28, 1927, in Rock Hill, South Carolina to the late Green B. and Juanita B. Avery.   She peacefully departed from this life on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 11:25 am at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House – Huntersville.

At the age of six months old, her parents moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was reared in a small community off South Tryon Street known as the "Brickyard."   She attended public school and graduated from Pineville Colored High School in 1944.  In 1947, she married Calvin Coolidge Mobley and from this union came two daughters.  For years, she was a homemaker rearing her girls.  In an effort to maintain flexibility to be there for her family, she did domestic work for several families in the Charlotte area.  In 1967, she went to work at Packaged Products, Inc. on Camden Road, where she was the first black female to be hired. As time went on, she returned to domestic work for several families in Charlotte until retirement in 1992.

Coming from a family of African Methodist, she defied all family odds and became a member of Galilee Baptist Church, now known as Greater Galilee Baptist Church, in 1941.  She served in various capacities within the church as the clerk, a member of the Willing Workers Club, Pastor's Aide Committee, Honorary Mother of the Musical Choir and Deaconess.

Thelma loved the Lord, her family, her church, and her church family whom she considered her extended family.  She strongly believed in encouraging people, being a good listener and often gave advice based on her guiding principles.  In addition, she tried in every way to be a positive role model for all.   She was very meek and humble and exhibited an enormous amount of faith.  She always promoted peace and love and strongly believed in the power of prayer.  Her advice to anyone she encountered was to live by the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!"

As a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was thankful for her two girls, Millicent and Sylvia; her son-in-law, Clarence; her granddaughter, Melissa; and grandson-in-law, Philip.  Although not her biological children, she considered both Clarence and Philip her children.  However, she was most proud of her great-granddaughter, Ashley, who she considered to be the joy of the entire family.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Green B. and Juanita B. Avery; Calvin C. Mobley, father of her children; and son-in-law, Clarence W. Wall.

She leaves to cherish her memories forever her daughters, Millicent M. Wall and Sylvia M. Garriett; her granddaughter, Melissa M. Mark (Philip), all of Charlotte NC; her great-granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Mark of Kernersville, NC; her brother, George Camp of Charlotte, NC; special family friend, Frances Mark of Charlotte, NC; two special daughters, Alma Moore of Raleigh, NC and Imogene Bacote (Robert) of Charlotte, NC; special grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the Bacote Family; along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donation to an organization of your choice.