Thelma Kuykendoll

On November 10, 1951 a Beautiful baby girl was born. Thelma Louise Smith was born in Jackson, Mississippi to a wonderful lady, Emma Ree Smith. Thelma, also known as, “Butch”, was the third child born out of six children. She had two brothers, Willie James and John Lee, and she also had three sisters, Yvonne, Chrystine and Iris. Thelma was always willing to lend a helping hand to her mother. Emma worked very hard to provide for her children. When Thelma was young, her mother relocated to Greenwood, Mississippi were the family lived with her grandmother, Jessie Mixon McBride, “Big Momma”. Big Momma led her family to Stranger Home Baptist Church. Where Thelma became a member and join the choir singing as the First Alto. Butch attended school in Greenwood, Mississippi, and graduated with her diploma from Thread Gill High School. Thelma was the proud mother. On August 16, 1969, she gave birth to her only son, Timothy. Four years later, on June 6, 1973, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Yolanda. Thelma decided to start her own journey. She purchased a one-way bus ticket to Seattle Washington. Traveling to Seattle Washington with her daughter, Yolanda, and one on the way, she had a four-hour layover in Denver, Colorado. Her big sister, Yvonne, and uncle, Junior Brown, lived in Denver, so she got in contact with her sister. Yvonne came to the bus station accompanied by a handsome young man, Charlie Kuykendoll. It was love at first sight for Thelma and Charlie. Charlie and Thelma started dating. On August 10, 1974, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Ramona R. Smith. Charlie vowed to Thelma always stand by her side, to be a protector, a provider, a leader, a good father to their children and the best husband in the world. The family had many memorable times together. On July 3, 2013, Thelma and Charlie became, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie and Thelma Kuykendoll. Thelma found employment at Parade Plastic Packing Company for several years before she got injured, unable to return to work, she became a Homemaker. Which was fine with her giving her more time to spend with her children and the love of her life, Charlie. She enjoyed spending time with her family and two best friends, Bobbie Jean Foster and Linda "Fay" Watkins and her favorite in-laws, Charles and Agnes Kuykendoll. She loved cooking BBQ, going to the family's house, or the family coming to her home. She loved her family. She was preceded in death by her son, Timothy E. Walker; her mother, Emma Ree Smith; siblings, Willie James Smith, Yvonne Smith, Iris Towers; one grandson, Courtney E. Smith; and one great grandson, Xavier Xing Smith. Thelma Louise Smith-Kuykendoll departed this life on August 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. She leaves to cherish her wonderful memories her husband, Charlie Kuykendoll of Denver Colorado; her two daughters, Yolanda L. Smith of Centennial Colorado and Ramona R. Smith-Tucker of Denver Colorado; her sister, Chrystian Stanley of Marin City California; and her brother, John Lee Smith of Greenwood Mississippi; Seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO
Service: 8/25/2018 at 2:00 PM - Clyburn At Stapleton - 7401 E. 26th Ave., Denver, Colorado
Cemetery: 8/29/2018 - Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO