Thelma Joyce Beyer Fraytet, died Thursday, July 3, 2014, at the age of 102 years. She was formerly a resident of Lumberton and was currently residing in Oak Ridge, TX.

She was born on March 30, 1912, in McComb, Mississippi, to Percy and Ethel Beyer. Thelma spent her most of her childhood with her parents and sisters, Cornelia Veronica and Bonnie Mae in San Augustine, Texas. The family moved to Beaumont, in 1924, where she graduated from Beaumont High School in 1929. Thelma met the love of her life, Louis Fraytet, and was married in 1933. They moved to Lumberton, in 1939, where Thelma resided until 2011. 

Thelma worked as a telephone operator after her high school graduation and later worked in the Lumberton I.S.D. food services department where she retired as cafeteria manager of the Primary School in 1978. Thelma was known for her love of cooking and baking as well as her sweet disposition and gentle, fun loving nature. She had a great wit and fun sense of humor and brought smiles to many with her jokes and stories. Someone described her as being “kind and sweet with a spark of spunk”.

She is survived by daughter, Beverly Smythia and her husband, David, of Conroe; son, Mike Fraytet and his wife, Sharon, of Tehachapi, California; grandchildren, Carl Fraytet and his wife, Elisa, of Long Beach, California; David Fraytet of Fountain Valley, California; Joey Smythia and his wife, Teresa, of Cedar Park, Texas; Daniel Smythia and his wife, Kim, of Pflugerville, Texas; and Julie Clouse and her husband, Scott, of Kyle, Texas. She had 4 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. 

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Louis; sisters, Cornelia Knupple and Bonnie Burns; and numerous family members and friends.

A gathering of Thelma’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m. with her funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 12, 2014, at Woodcrest United Methodist Church, 1684 Highway 96, Lumberton, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Woodcrest United Methodist Church, 1684 Highway 96, Lumberton, Texas 77657.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers of Unlimited Care-Oak Ridge Cottage for the loving care and attention she received while in their residence. Also, the family is appreciative of the numerous staff members of Gentiva-Odyssey Hospice of Conroe who provided excellent services and care over the last two years. Thelma was a loving wife, mother, grand-mother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.