Thelma Mary Boston of Pocomoke City, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at her residence. She was born on May 2, 1934 on the family farm near Laurel. Thelma was the daughter of the late Oscar Eugene Kinnikin and Elsie Elizabeth White Kinnikin. She is the granddaughter of the late John G. Kinnikin and Annie Mae Lankford Kinnikin who were farmers near Laurel. She is also the granddaughter of the late Lorenzo T. White and Stella Mae Whaley White also of Laurel.
Her husband of 45 years, John W. (Bill) Boston, passed away in 1995. They were married July 31, 1949 in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Pocomoke City by the Rev. Hugh V. Clary. She was also preceded in death by her older brother John Willard Kinnikin who passed away in 2017, her sister-in-law Marguerite Taylor Boston, brothers-in-law Lester J. Moore and E. Paige Boston and many other relatives and friends including Dorothy Banks Blades, Helen J. Young, Lucinda Marie Brown, Mary Mariner, Eleanor Blades Littleton, Dorothy Webb, Anna Lee Aydelotte McCreary, Helen Justice and Donna Gardner to name a few.
She is survived by a son, William T. Boston (Thomas Paul Schmidt Jr.), of Pocomoke City; grandchildren Stacey Morton (Jason Morton), Jennifer Lowrey (Eddie Lowrey), Amanda Bowden (Tabitha Bowden); great grandchildren Lily Morton, Angela Richardson, Noah Settle, Timmy Duvall and Madison Lowrey. She is also survived by her sister Ruth Kinnikin Moore of Laurel; sister-in-law Margery Murray Kinnikin of York, Pa.; four nieces, Jean Boston Matthews, Annette Moore, Deborah Moore and Ann Kinnikin Parsons; six nephews, John E. Boston, Joe, Rick, Ronnie, Eugene and Ed Moore; and numerous great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Also surviving her is a daughter-in-law Lori A. Boston, and many devoted relatives including Karen Gardner of Cape Coral, Fla., who called her faithfully every night and prayed with her. Other devoted friends and relatives include Patricia McIntyre (Eddie), Betty Coffey, Linda Brown, Martha Jane Linton, Shirelle Collins, Virginia Sprinkle and many others.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Amy Hawkins who has given care to Thelma for almost three years and to her many nurses including Dana Lilliston, Makenzie McIntyre, Carol Beck and Tess Bailey to name a few. They have all become part of our family. Thelma had many other caregivers including Sonni Vannier among others. Also, we would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Meri Richardson Moore, Tracey Croswell and the rest of the folks at River Oaks Day Center and Meals on Wheels.
Thelma loved all animals especially her dogs. She made many local people happy with the pets that they received from her. Her beloved dog Molly survives her and misses her very much. Several of her beloved pets preceded her in death including Ferbie, Puddles, Tiny Tim and Helen.
Thelma enjoyed going to Martha’s Kitchen in Saxis, Dayton’s in Salisbury and Red Roof in Pocomoke, with Lucinda Brown, Linda Brown, Rayshawn Brown, Ruth and Joe Moore among others. She also loved going to family reunions and local events such as Blessing of the Combines and the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake. Thelma loved to go to local auctions and yard sales. She found joy in flower gardening and many kinds of arts and crafts; such as needlepoint and candle making, which were some of her favorites.
Thelma and her husband worked on the farm on Buck Harbor Road for many years raising cows, hogs and other crops. She also worked for many years at Harrison House Nursing Home. She was active for many years in the local 4-H Club, with the local AFS organization, Cub Scouts and Webelos. She attended Goodwill Baptist Church for many years and helped with their Vacation Bible School program along with friends Gay Tatem, Mary Mariner, Kitty Roberts and Belva MacComb, to name a few.
Friends and family will gather for a visitation at the Holloway Funeral Home, 107 Vine Street, Pocomoke City on Saturday, Dec. 28 from 10-11 a.m. and the funeral service will start at 11 a.m. Pastor Kelvin Ford will officiate, and interment will follow at the First Baptist Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Restored Souls Ministries, Pastor Kelvin Ford, 30063 Fairmount Road, Westover, Maryland 21871 or to the Worcester County Humane Society, 12330 Eagles Nest Rd., Berlin, MD 21811.