Thelma R. Whitmore, 68, of Corpus Christi passed away March 10, 2021.  Known to many as Thelma Jean, she was born November 25, 1952, to Louis T. Rigby and Eugenia M. Rigby.  She grew up in River Ridge, Louisiana.  She attended Riverdale High School where she graduated in 1971.

She married her high school sweetheart in 1971 and traveled to different places thanks to the Naval career of her husband.  She devoted her early married years to raising her two children and when she felt they were old enough; she went to work.  She worked as a Title 1 aide in Jacksonville, Florida as well as in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Thelma was a preschool teacher at Lord of Life Church in Flour Bluff.  She changed her career path and became a court clerk for Nueces County Precinct 2 under Judge Larry Cox.  After sustaining an injury in a car accident, she left her job.  She kept herself busy spending time with her grandchildren and with her many crafts as well as baking.  She is famous with family and friends for her rum cake and many other delicious treats.

She was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Eugenia and her brother Leslie Rigby. She is survived by her husband of 49 years Joseph (Bill) Whitmore, her children Patrick (Christy) Whitmore and daughter Virginia (Howard) Welsh, and her three grandchildren Andrea, Gabriela, and Brodie.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at Guardian Funeral Home on March 20, at 11am.  Her ashes will be interned at the Coastal Bend State Veteran's Cemetery in Corpus Christi on March 22 at 2pm.