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Affectionally known as "Mother," Thelma Jean Lemons was born on August 19, 1934, in Witherspoon, Arkansas to her parents Joseph and Daisy Summerville Garland. From childhood and for most of her life, she was a member of the Church of God in Christ. In COGIC, she would become a longstanding member and dedicated "Missionary"first at Washington Memorial in Hot Springs, Arkansas; then at Wells Cathedral in Newark, New Jersey; and later at North Main in Houston, Texas. When Mother Lemons moved to Tampa, Florida in 2015, she joined Bible-Based Fellowship Church of Temple Terrace.

During her early life, she attended school in her hometown Witherspoon and would become a substitute teacher at Peak High School in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Years later, she worked as a professional seamstress. For 44 years, Mother Lemons was married to Army military veteranElder Frederick Gabriel Lemons (1932-1997), who served for many years as the Pastor of The Angel Gabriel Christian Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They were the parents of two sonsGary Lee Lemons (wife Fanni) and Gregory Dean Lemons. Because of their parents. both sons would be long-time members of COGIC. In fact, Gary would become an ordained Minister in it and later officiated as an "Elder" in Wells Cathedral Church of God in Christ in Newark, New Jersey. Also, as a dedicated gospel bass player, Gregory would serve for many years as a musician at North Main Church of God in Christ in Houston.

Mother Lemons was preceded by nine siblings. Five sistersDorothy Garland-Jones, Annie Garland-Newborn, Oleader Garland-Newborn, Elteazer Garland-Newborn, and Delma Garland-Green; four brothersBirdell Garland, Bishop Edward J. Garland (wife JoAnn), Thomas J. Garland, and Lincoln J. Garland. She was also the grandmother of Gabriel Green-Lemons (wife Claudine), Chelsea and Gregory Dean Lemons, Jr., and Danyealah Green-Lemons. She also served as a surrogate grandmother for Elmore Gildersleeve (wife Alexandria) and Terrell Harris. She was the great-grandmother of Denisea Zion and Dominique Martinez Hypolite, Makiyah Jaene, and JaNiyah Rosielee Clark; Aria Patricia and Zuri Victoria Green-Lemons. She was also a surrogate great-grandmother for Miles Christopher, Madison Victoria, and Maya Nora Gildersleeve.

Many family members (young and old), as well as close friends, would always hear Mother Lemons repeat these words: "If you eat right, live right, God will take care of you." Her two favorite biblical scriptures wereRomans 8:28 "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." During the weekly family Bible study sessions at our home in New Jersey, she would always begin speaking the words of Psalm 34:1"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Memorial Service
Aikens Funeral Home
Saturday, February 12, 2022
10:30 AM
2708 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Tampa, Florida 33610