Thelma Catherine Metcalf passed away in the morning of July 24, 2025, with her daughter and two of her granddaughters by her side.
Thelma was born the third oldest child to Walter and Bernice Lentz on September 5, 1951. In June of 1970, Thelma met her beloved husband Bill at the Kansas State Highway Commission in Atchison, Kansas, where they both worked. They were married on February 20, 1971, and lived in
Kansas until June of 1979, and then moved to Athens, Texas.
Thelma was a stay-at-home mother until she started work as a bus driver for Cross Roads ISD, Texas, in 1981 and continued driving for eleven years. In 1982, she was hired as a part-time Children’s Librarian at
the Henderson County Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library. She continued with both jobs until she was hired full time as Children’s Librarian in 1994 and quit the bus driving job the previous fall. Thelma
retired as Assistant Librarian at Henderson County Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library in August of 2007.
Thelma enjoyed her grandchildren, reading, yard work, and pampering her pet cats, especially Susie.
Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Bernice Lentz, brother Vincent Lentz, sister Elizabeth Lentz, brother-in-law Michael Halling, and sisters in law Dorothy Lentz and Judy Lentz.
She is survived by her husband Bill, sisters Anna Marie (Larry) Haupt, Jane F. Halling, Atchison, Kansas, brother Wesley Lentz, Stockbridge, Michigan, daughter Jennifer (Greg) Hairgrove, LaRue, Texas. Sons,
Rabon A., (Wendy) Metcalf, College Station, Texas, and Allen Metcalf, Pampa, Texas, grandchildren: Jonathan and Stephen Hairgrove, Bridgette (Joshua) Ramey, Megan (Andrew) Adams, Rabon B. (Kiley) Metcalf, Bailee (Jarrod) Clowers, Samantha Blakeman, Alex Hernandez, Alyssa Metcalf, William Metcalf. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews
Donations may be sent to the Henderson County Clint W. Murchison Library.