Obituaries » Thelma L. Twery

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A celebration of Thelma’s life will be held at a later date.

Thelma L. Twery

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Thelma L. Twery departed this life on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at the age of 97.

She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa., the youngest of 3 children of Max and Emma Lifton. She attended Carnegie Tech (Carnegie-Mellon University) as an art student, where she met and married Elliott R. Twery. After moving around from Arkansas to New York, Iowa, and Louisiana, they finally settled in Lynchburg, Va. in 1956.

Thelma worked as an artist and taught at the Lynchburg Art Club and the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center (ACOA) before joining the faculty at Lynchburg College (U of L), where she was an art professor for 28 years. After retiring in 1992, she continued to work and show as an artist in the Lynchburg area.

She is survived by all four of her children: Deborah Hughes, Mark Twery (Robin), Seth Twery (Ann), and Michael Twery (Jeannette). She had six grandchildren: Stuart Twery (Emily), Naomi Twery, Liza McAngus (Gage), Miles Hughes (Morgan), Frances Hughes, and Michelle Abrahamson (Kris). She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Greyson Hughes, Charlie Hughes, Eleanor McAngus, Seth McAngus and Micah Tucker.

Thelma was a warm, energetic and creative person with many friends, and was a loving matriarch to her family. She had a sharp wit and a love for cooking, entertaining, theater, puppetry, and travel. She will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Thelma’s life will be held at a later date.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.

Condolences & Tributes

Obituary Viewed 3118 times



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Posted by:
Margaret Nelson Phillips

Posted on:
April 5, 2021

Seth. We are so sorry to learn of your mom’s passing. Our hearts are with you during these very challenging times. Margaret and Bill

Posted by:
Hanna Burruss

Posted on:
April 2, 2021

Seth I got to know your mother in a class we shared later in life.. She was born the same year as my mother, who was also an artist.. I found your mother refreshing. As I knew her, she had a subtle forthrightness in her comments and observations. I had to Pay attention to her to catch what she saying about art and life. She could be very matter-of-fact and didn’t sugar-coat her thoughts. I liked that about her.

Posted by:
Lisa Moore

Posted on:
March 31, 2021

Dear Seth and Family, I was saddened to hear the news of your mother passing. I looked for her obituary and when seeing her smiling face, I immediately smiled back at her. What a gift it has been for me to meet her and have many endearing moments of conversation during our visits. It did not take long to know her dry wit, her amazing talent as an artist and her love for her family. One of my favorite memories was her stories about the masks she created and that they all were smiling, "although you may not see it at first". I pray her soul is free and she is smiling now. Peace to you and your family.

Posted by:
RICHARD PUMPHREY

Posted on:
March 31, 2021

I wish all the Twery family peace in the passing of Thelma. Her family was large, extending beyond yours to the generations of students she taught and colleagues with whom she worked. I was fortunate to be a member of two of those families, enjoying her humor and benefiting from her direction for more than four decades. You were blessed to experience a full lifetime of her gifts. Blessings to you all, Richard “Dick” Pumphrey

Posted by:
Ann van de Graaf

Posted on:
March 31, 2021

My deepest condolences to all the family. Thelma was a dear friend, a talented and original artist and teacher. I’m so glad you mentioned her great sense of humor and wit in the obituary. She was an uncanny mimic and story teller. She also delighted in the machinations of the Moon Group and participated enthusiastically in our monthly gatherings. She was a rare treasure. I miss her

Posted by:
Tom Stephens

Posted on:
March 28, 2021

Thelma was one of Sue’s and my favorite people.. a favorite retirement memory was coming upon her at Food Lion, where we’d stand in the aisle telling each other jokes and laughing like fools. I have a smile on my face noe, thinking of her.

Posted by:
Ellen and Malcolm Haley

Posted on:
March 28, 2021

Dear Seth, Randi, and family, We were so sorry to read of Seth's mother's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and and your family. May God bless you and give you peace and comfort.

Posted by:
Jane Atkins

Posted on:
March 28, 2021

Seth, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mother. My deepest sympathy to all of you.

Posted by:
Pamela McLaughlin

Posted on:
March 27, 2021

Seth and family, My sympathy to you all. Pam (Thompson) class of '72

Posted by:
Tommie Slayden

Posted on:
March 27, 2021

This photo is the way I remember Thelma! I enjoyed her so much, her kindness and her wit. I am honored to have one of her prints from the 70’s of a house in Lynchburg. I am so glad she had such a long life. I know you all will send her off with love. Love to Seth, Randi, Debbie, Mark, and Michael and all of the spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I am thinking about you all.

Posted by:
Christy

Posted on:
March 27, 2021

Dear Debbie, I am so sorry for your loss. I am grateful to have had my mother for 94 years even though she was in Richmond. I am also grateful to have attended Lynchburg college which brought me to meet you and your family. God bless you in your grieving. Hugs, Christy

Posted by:
wayne lewis

Posted on:
March 27, 2021

Dear Debbie, I was saddened to learn of your mother's passing. My condolences to you and your family.

Posted by:
Liz Callaham

Posted on:
March 26, 2021

Debbie, Mark, Seth, Mike, Miles, Frances, and Michelle I am so very sorry to hear of Mrs. Twery's passing. She had such a full and rich life, much of it due to the joy you and your families brought to her. Death is only an old door Set in a garden wall On gentle hinges it gives, at dusk When the thrushes call Along the lintel are green leaves Beyond the light lies still; Very willing and weary feet Go over that sill There is nothing to trouble any heart; Nothing to hurt at all. Death is only a quiet door. In an old wall. - Nancy Byrd Turner Cousin Liz Callaham

Posted by:
Terry Scheckwitz

Posted on:
March 26, 2021

My condolences to all. Another reason Passover will be different this year. Terry Scheckwitz

Posted by:
Bruce Falk

Posted on:
March 26, 2021

Seth, please accept my condolences on the passing of your mother. The wonderful obituary really showed what a great and talented lady she was. Bruce

Posted by:
Charlotte Duis

Posted on:
March 24, 2021

Debbie, Miles, Frances and Michelle, Fred and I were sorry to read about the death of your mother and grandmother. Our sympathy is with you. Charlotte

 

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