Thelma Jean Fillyaw was born on September 25, 1935, to the union of Chester and Zelma Renfro in Jasper, Texas. She was the third of five beautiful daughters. Thelma attended and graduated from the historic J.H. Rowe High School. Soon after, she met and fell in love with Houseton Fillyaw and in October of 1953, they were joined together in marriage. From this union, they were blessed with seven children.

At an early age, Mrs. Fillyaw learned the Scriptures and was baptized into Christ at North Main Church of Christ. She remained a faithful member at Westside Church of Christ until her health failed her. She was loved and cherished by her church family. She modeled Proverbs 22:6 by making sure her children and grandchildren were always in attendance whenever the doors were open. She always had a desire to grow in her spiritual walk as she attended gospel meetings regularly and the National Church of Christ Lectureship, annually. She also took special interest in encouraging the youth to be faithful and active in the church as well.

Mrs. Fillyaw was also very active and well known in the Jasper community. She was employed by Jasper ISD at the Department of Instruction where she retired in 2011. She was loved by all the students that she encountered. She was also a dedicated member of the Jasper chapter of the NAACP where she served as treasurer and secretary. As a member, she fought against social injustice and advocated for the rights of all people.

Mrs. Fillyaw was loved by her family, church family, and the entire community. She will be affectionately remembered for her love and pride for her family, for her stern but loving discipline, and for her homemade biscuits and sweet potato pie.

Thelma is preceded in death by: her parents, her husband, Houseton Fillyaw; her children, Kathy Lynn Lockhart, Roy Chester Fillyaw, and Janice Marie Bailey; and her sisters, Daisy Hadnot, Beatrice Cauley, and Allean Renfro.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Gene (Cynthia) Fillyaw, Beverly (Curtis) Cauley, Kenneth (Beverly) Fillyaw, Shamarion (Quincy) Whitaker, and James (Karen) Fillyaw; her sister, Eula Mae Oliphant; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family and friends.