Thelma Green's Obituary
Ms. Thelma Barnes Green, 74, was called home on May 26, 2015. Thelma was born on June 3, 1940 in Itta Beana, MS. She was the long-time owner of As-Is, once located on Millbranch. She is survived by her five children: Jacqueline Stone (Norbert), Michael Green (Toni), Tyrone Green (Mary), Staffardnett Young (Allen), and Orlando Cepeda Green. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, seven sisters, and one brother. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 3 from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue. The services will be held on Thursday, June 4 at 11:30 a.m. also at Memorial Park. My full name is Thelma Barnes Green, my close friends always call me “Ms. Green”. I accepted Christ and have been a Christian woman, wrapped in the blood of Jesus, all my life. I am the daughter of, and one of thirteen children born to Tom and Mary Barnes. My siblings Tom Barnes Jr., Frank Barnes, and Ruby Lee Hubert preceded me in death. There was no question, I was firmly affixed in our big family. In 1940, when I was born, this country was in the beginning of World War II and color television was being demonstrated. I came to Memphis, Tennessee on a Greyhound bus in the summer of 1958. It was at the bus station, I met my future husband, George Stafford, when he kindly helped with a payphone call and offered to share his cab with me; little did we know that our relatives lived one street apart. From that chance encounter we began to share our lives together and married on February 13, 1959. I became the mother to five wonderful children, Jacqueline, Michael, Tyrone, Staffardnett, and Orlando Cepeda. Stafford and I lived in several different houses before we bought our first home at 2368 Drake. It was there that I raised my children, welcomed my family, loved, and lost. I realized my dreams in the late 60’s by starting a business as a seamstress in my home. During the 70’s, I had some life changes, I divorced, moved my family and ventured out on my own. After trial and error, I finally settled with the name AS IS for my business. With this name and a location on Millbranch, I succeeded with many business ventures: custom outfits for Booker T &The MG’s and the Bar-Kays, custom wedding dresses, short-sets, and with the design direction of Orlando, custom denim snake skin apparel. This was a business I was proud of, it supported my family, provided employment for my children, and gave my grandchildren a haven. Every day that I opened the door of my business I knew I was blessed to be able to do something I enjoyed on my terms. I have lived a life dedicated to God, my children, grandchildren, and family. My life has been filled with weddings, grandchildren, graduations, and travel, but most of all love. My cup runneth over.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”
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