Thelma Lorene Boone heard the Lord say, well done thy good and faithful servant, as she crossed the finish line of this life and transitioned on December 31, 2017.

It was a great day on December 9, 1938 when Zylphie (Longino) and Eugene Tanner welcomed Thelma to this world.  She was reared in Hazlehurst, MS. Upon moving to Chicago, IL as a young adult, Thelma completed school and pursued a career in nursing. In Chicago, Thelma met and married Arzell K. Boone of Tupelo, MS. To this union, Steven Boone was born. The Boones were together 48 years and enjoyed many great years. They traveled the world on bus trips and cruises with each other and the travel group they were a part of.

Thelma accepted Christ and was a faithful member of Greater Institutional AME Church in Chicago, IL for many years. At this church, Thelma was a member of the Gospel Choir. She also served as a missionary. Thelma and Arzell met at Greater Institutional and raised Steven there as well. The Boone family has been active members at Greater Institutional for almost 50 years.  The Boones moved to Benton Harbor, MI after retiring over 17 years ago. In Benton Harbor, they found another loving church family at Union Memorial AME Church where they are affiliate members.

Thelma was blessed to have careers in nursing and with the Chicago Board of Education as a Teacher’s Assistant. Thelma’s daily routine started with reading her devotional and scriptures. She loved her family. If she wasn’t taking care of her husband, she was watching soap operas, crocheting, or solving crossword puzzles. After her soaps went off, she loved to talk about them on the phone with her sister Ree. She loved to be with and care for the other two men in her life, her son Steven Boone, and her grandson, Jalen Boone. When visiting, Thelma always tried to make the life of her daughter-in-law, Markeyta Boone, easier by helping around the house. She loved her family members who live all over the country. She loved her church families and friends in Chicago and Michigan.  Thelma did not miss important dates. You were sure to receive either a call or card on birthdays, anniversaries, and all other significant events.

Those bidding farewell include her husband, Arzell K. Boone; her son, Steven Boone (Markeyta) of Country Club Hills, IL; her grandson, Jalen Boone (Nikki) of Tulsa, OK; her sister, Marie (Gerald) Dixon of Alexandria, LA; her sisters & brothers through marriage, Lou Nell (Peter) Pierce, Carrie Mae (Gene) Willis, Hazel (Walter) Foster, and Edward Lee (Inez) Boone; a special friend, Lucille (Bob) Latko of South Holland, IL; her Greater Institutional and Union Memorial AME families, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Cal (Ann) Tanner, E.W. (Sister) Tanner, & Ethel (Houston) Markham.

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