About Thelma

Thelma Irene Richardson Lowe was born in Grandfield Oklahoma on December 11, 1931 to Maggie Irene McWilliams Richardson and Isaac Auld Richardson during the Great Depression. She was their third and youngest child joining an older sister and brother. Times were not easy but she had a happy childhood.

Her parents farmed land in the Ahpeatone Community in southwest Oklahoma. In addition to helping with the many activities at home, she also played piano for church and events, played basketball and was valedictorian of both her high school and 8th grade class.

College

She always dreamed of getting a college degree and becoming a teacher, so in August 1949 she entered Cameron Jr. College in Lawton, Oklahoma. She took a folk dancing class the first year and met Richard Lowe, whom she later married after finishing her college degree at OU in Norman, OK.

She majored in Business Education and participated in many different activities on campus. She also worked as secretary for the Home Economics department at Cameron and the Statistics Division at the Oklahoma State Department in Norman as well as sold dresses at a dress shop on Saturdays to pay for her education. She played intramural basketball and was selected Outstanding Girl Athlete at Cameron her graduating year.

Marriage

On May 10, 1953, Thelma married Richard Lowe, a marriage that spanned nearly 60 years. They enjoyed a 3-month honeymoon in Oahu, Hawaii while he continued his service in the Navy. Places they lived included Oilton, Beggs, Cyril and Ninnekah, Oklahoma.

Teaching

Her first teaching job was at Tyrone, OK, near Liberal, Kansas where she taught a variety of business classes. Later, she taught business courses at Oilton, OK and Cement, OK. She demanded excellence and was popular with her students. Many students were able to get full-time good paying jobs because of the skills developed in her classes. One year she entered the Cement High School newspaper in the National Beta Club Contest and they won third in the nation behind a team in Missouri and North Carolina.

After completing a second college degree in Elementary Education, Thelma taught elemetary school at Bradley, OK and Verden, OK before becoming the beloved kindergarten teacher at Ninnekah, Oklahoma for over 15 years.

Kindergarten

Thelma was an innovative teacher and created many learning opportunities beyond the required basics. She took her classes on many field trips such as to the fire station and farms to show the children the origins of things like the milk they drank. She was loved and valued by her students.

Unknown to her, one of her students wrote "Miss Fran", a children’s TV program to share her enthusiasm for her kindergarten class. They visited and filmed a full session of the show in her classroom.

Another child in one of her classes had an implant for her hearing impairment and the National Geographic Magazine came to watch and take pictures of the innovative way Thelma taught. She also received the KOCO Channel 5 "Best Teacher" award. She said as a teacher she was always thinking about new ways to teach.

Children

Thelma and Richard raised 4 active children: Becky, Dick, Rhonda and Ruth Ann. They were involved in 4-H and FFA showing and judging livestock, delivering speeches, playing sports like basketball, attending church and a host of other activities. Many trophies, ribbons and plaques were won on the local, county, district, state and national level. It kept her and Richard very busy hauling them around and teaching them ways to improve, in addition to their jobs as teachers.

She taught her children the value of hard work, determination and good manners. She is the proud grandmother of six boys and spent much time with them as they grew. She is also the great-grandmother of 3 children. She is a great listener and often taught by example.

Creativity

Thelma is very creative and talented. In her 30s, she began drawing and oil painting which she has continued throughout her life. Her kindergarten wall contained a mural of Winnie the Pooh and friends which she created. She sewed many items of clothing and created many quilts that she shared with her family. She created scrapbooks and documented the family’s activites in photographs and stories.

Adventurous

She is curious and adventurous and rarely lets age or lack of knowledge stop her from trying new things. In her late 50s, she snow-skied for the first time. In her 70s, she rode a Segway. In her late 80s, she went down a Zip line for the first time. While on a family vacation at the lake, she cracked her ribs in an accident while racing her grandsons on bicycles. (She says she still won that race!) Her interest in Genealogy led to many books and documents created of the family’s history.

Fun

She has always had a sense of playfulness about her. She likes to play cards and games. Square dancing and other forms of dancing were a joyful activity that she shared with Richard. They also enjoyed traveling in their motorhome. She continues to enjoy playing piano and the organ. She has fun and there is always much laughter shared.

We honor this amazing lady as she enters her ninth decade of life.