Thelma E. Taylor-Sullins

Thelma Earle Taylor Sullins, also known as (peewee) aka Ms. fix it, was born to Viola Roberta Turnage on March 14, 1939. Thelma carried herself with grace and purpose, and she touched the lives of many with her warm spirit, her steady presence, and her unmistakable gift for making others feel seen and valued. Thelma was a woman who understood that a meaningful life is built one faithful day at a time, and she lived each of those days with strength, humility, and heart. Thelma was a proud graduate of Washington High School, and that milestone reflected the determination that would guide her throughout her life. Thelma believed in learning, in working hard, and in showing up with excellence no matter the task.

Thelma brought that spirit into every place she served, and she became known not only for what she did, but for how she did it. Her life was a testimony to discipline, perseverance, and the beauty of doing ordinary things with extraordinary love. For twenty-two years, Thelma worked at Gaylords department store, where her dedication and reliability made a lasting impression. Thelma gave her best every day, and her commitment never went unnoticed. Later, she retired from Benjamin Rose, closing out her years of work with the same dignity and grace that had marked her career from the beginning. Her work history reflects more than employment. It reflects a woman who understood responsibility, who valued service, and who knew that integrity is a legacy in itself. Thelma was also a woman of faith, and she excepted Christ at an early age at St. Luke church in Little Washington North Carolina. And was later baptized at New Bethel Baptist church in Youngstown Ohio. Upon leaving Youngstown Thelma moved to Cleveland Ohio in 1959 where she met and married Steve Taylor and in this union Vincent, Bernard, Rayvon Taylor.

In 1969 Thelma married John Sullins and in that union one daughter Jannifer Taylor Sullins. Thelma joined Israelite Baptist Church under the leadership of the late reverend Josh Jones. In 1982 Thelma became a chartered member of Moses Free Spirit Missionary Baptist Church for 44yrs under the leadership of Dr. Lester C. Williams, Sr. Christian beliefs shaped the way she lived, loved, and endured. She carried a quiet strength that came from trusting God, and that trust gave her the courage to keep moving forward through every season of life. Her life reminded others that faith is not only spoken, but lived. It is lived in the way one treats people, in the kindness one extends, and in the hope, one continues to carry even when the road is uncertain.

Thelma embodied that kind of faith with sincerity and conviction. Creativity was one of her great joys, and she was known as a creator of all trades. Though she could appreciate many forms of making and building, she was especially gifted in sewing and tailoring. Through her hands, she brought beauty into the world. Thelma understood fabric, form, detail, and care, and she used those talents with intention and pride. Her creativity was not merely a skill. It was an expression of who she was. She showed that artistry is found not only in grand achievements, but in the careful, loving attention given to every stitch, every finish, and every task completed with excellence. Those who knew Thelma remember her as loving, creative, and spirited. She had a way of bringing life into a room and encouragement into a heart.

Her presence was steady and uplifting, and her words and actions often reminded others to keep going, keep believing, and keep becoming. She led by example, and her life encouraged others to stand tall, work hard, and live with purpose. She was the kind of woman whose influence could be felt long after she had left the room, because she gave people something lasting to hold onto. Thelma departed this life on May 1, 2026 in Cleveland Ohio. Her greatest treasures were her family, and she loved them deeply. She is survived by her two children Jannifer Taylor Sullins & Bernard Taylor. Sister Jessie Davis Kurtz. Grandchildren Rayvonna Taylor (that she raised as her daughter) and Janquetta Hampton. Great-grandchildren, Danaysia Montgomery, Daylin Taylor, and Dylin Taylor. Proceeds in death mother and step father Viola and James Thomas. Sister Vernabell Williams, two sons Vincent Taylor & Rayvon Taylor. A host Nieces and Nephews and love ones. Her family carries forward her love, her lessons, and her strength.

In them, her story continues. In them, her care and compassion remain alive. Thelma was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who understood the power of love to shape generations, and her family will always be one of the clearest reflections of her beautiful life Thelma’s journey reminds us that a life does not have to be loud to be powerful. It does not have to be filled with headlines to be meaningful. Sometimes the most remarkable lives are the ones lived with consistency, kindness, faith, and commitment.

Thelma lived that kind of life. She showed us that being loving is a strength, being creative is a gift, and being spirited is a blessing. She proved that a person can build a legacy through everyday faithfulness, through the work of her hands, and through the love she pours into others. As we remember Thelma Earle Taylor Sullins, we celebrate a woman whose life was full of purpose and whose memory will continue to inspire. Her earthly journey has ended, but the impact of her life remains. She leaves behind a story of resilience, grace, and devotion that will continue to encourage all who knew her. May her example remind us to live fully, love deeply, work faithfully, and trust God in every season. Thelma’s life was a gift, and her memory will forever be a source of strength and inspiration.

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