JOPLIN, Mo. —
"Forever Tending Her Garden"
Thelma Maxine Hobbs, age 81, of Joplin, passed away at 5:57 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at her residence after a long illness.
Thelma was born Nov. 3, 1931, in Plains, Kan., to the late Roy William Hobbs and Georgia Beatrice Biggs Hobbs and had lived in the Joplin area most of her life.
She was chief operating officer of Allied Engineering and was with the company for over 30 years. Thelma was known as the green thumb of Joplin. She could grow anything, anywhere. She was an avid bowler in her younger years and enjoyed playing online spades.
Thelma was fond of traveling, as long as she wasn't gone longer than several days at a time. Her greatest memories are that of her family. They meant the world to her. Thelma was a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She married Lonnie Vaile in 1950, in Carthage.
Thelma then married Kenny Haizlip in 1973.
Additional survivors include her children, William Ray Vaile, Arlington, Texas, Elizabeth Jane Wallace and her husband, Danny, Carl Junction, Rebecca Anne Norris and her husband, Kenny, Martinsville, Ind., and Lonnie Robert Vaile and his wife, Cyndie, Queen Creek, Ariz.; two sisters, Maggie Lacey and her husband, Steven, Oronogo, and Ruby Hughlette and her husband, Steve, Joplin; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by a brother, Roy "Buddy" Hobbs; and a sister, Idora "Sissie" Edwards.
Memorial services are planned for Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bishop Chris Hoffman will officiate. The family will receive friends following the services at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the LDS Local Missionary Fund, care of Parker Mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
Online condolences may be made at www.parkermortuary.com
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