Thelma Rosalie Underwood

Thelma Rosalie Underwood passed June 19, 2013 at Ruby Memorial Hospital due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident on June 8, 2013.


Born July 29, 1929 on the Cayton Family Farm in Doddridge County, she was the daughter of Ora Eli Pratt and Fannie Annie Edwards. Thelma married her childhood sweetheart Donald LaRue Underwood on June 3, 1950. The family hosted a 63rd wedding celebration on June 2, 2013. Thelma worked as a telephone operator, an award winning Avon consultant, and was a math, chemistry, and physics teacher at Doddridge County High School. She was an active member of the Salem Bingo Club and the Cascara Methodist Church.

Thelmas abilities were varied and complex. She constructed sock monkeys, Raggedy Ann dolls, quilts, and elaborate wedding cakes for her grandchildren, who were often disappointed with a savings bond in lieu of a toy. To her goal was that every grandchild graduate from college, those bonds were instrumental. Her dream was achieved when her youngest grandchild graduated from WV Wesleyan in May. She also gardened and canned for over half a century, carefully planning a yard where perennials bloom every season. She was famous for generously hosting bountiful dinners every Saturday for her sons who manage the farm as well as extended family and friends.

Thelma is survived by her husband, Donald Underwood, one brother Ron Pratt, three children, Donita Edgell, Rodney Underwood and Dusty Underwood, and ten grandchildren: Michelle Fisher, Beverly Carder, Marcie Cumberledge, Kayla Bosley, Tessa Samer, Michelle Cunningham (deceased), Emily McHenry, Cody Edgell, Quinn Edgell, and Cuylor Edgell.

Thelmas high expectations also extend to her eighteen great grandchildren: Michael Fisher, Leah Fisher, Kendall Fisher, Alexandria Carder, Megan Carder, Riley Carder, Sydney Keith, Hayley Keith, Cassidy Cumberledge, Own Bosley, Kaleb Bosley, Taylor Samer, Danielle Samer, Nicholas Samer, Kaleigh Cunningham, Hannah Cunningham, Nathan Cunningham, and Dustin Cole McHenry.


Many Facebook friends have personally experienced and recalled the kindness of Thelma Underwood.

A celebration of her extraordinary life will be held at 3:00PM on Saturday, July 27, 2013 in the Cascara United Methodist Church with Pastor Nathan Epling and Pastor Lester Stinebiser presiding.Interment will follow on the Cayton Family Farm. She loved numbers, roses and poems that rhyme; She was our forever and once upon a time.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.harbertfuneralhome.com. Harbert Funeral Home is privileged to serve the Underwood family.

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