Obituary of Thelma Raye Anglin

It is with great sadness that the family of Thelma Raye Anglin announces her passing on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 7pm at Lake Regional Health System, Osage Beach, Missouri.

Raye was preceded in death by her parents Dan & Edna Drummond, her sisters, Voleta, Ellen, Betty, Cathy, and her brother Leroy.  She is survived by her sisters, Irene and Ernestine.

Raye was born in Bidville, Arkansas on May 22, 1940, delivered by midwife as the youngest child of the loving Drummond family in their country home in the Boston Mountains.

At 19, Raye visited her brother Leroy in St. Louis, Missouri, where she met Vergil Anglin.  Vergil told his family that he met the girl he was going to marry, and sure enough, eight months later, they were married on April 9, 1960 and were preparing to celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary. During the course of their committed marriage, Raye and Vergil had 2 children, Barry Anglin and Sheila Anglin Jordan. Barry married Diane, and gave them 2 granddaughters, Ariel and Shelby.  Sheila married and gave them a grandson, Julian. Raye loved and is profoundly loved by her children and grandchildren, as well numerous nieces and nephews that Raye worked to keep together as a family community.  Raye was devoted to her family and made everyone feel special and loved.

Raye worked many years making soap at Lever Bros. and doing factory work that was not, at that time, an opportunity for many women, but Raye paved the way for herself and others as she fought societal norms in the workplace.  Raye and Vergil worked their life plan so that they could both retire at 55.  They chose to move to the Lake of the Ozarks where they could enjoy life lakeside, having coffee on the deck watching birds, and enjoying their grandchildren splashing in the water.  Their lake home became a center for family gatherings and epic 4th of July fetes where everyone enjoyed her comforting southern cooking and welcoming hospitality.

Raye was a literal ray of sunshine for so many family and friends. She held us together, lifted us up, and illuminated the way.  She is and always will be loved and respected by her family, her friends, and by those that had the opportunity to have known her.  We will think of her with every ray of light as she continues to shine upon us all. 

At Raye’s request, she will be cremated, and the family will be having a Celebration of Life once the flowers are in bloom.  Details will be forthcoming.