Thelma Sealey Orbison

Thelma peacefully passed in her sleep early Thursday morning, 5-8-2025 at her home where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law in Belmont, NC. Thelma was the only Red-headed child out of 8 children. Her close friends knew her as Red Sealey! She loved playing softball and basketball! She worked at Highland Park Manufacturing Mill where she met her future sister-in-law, Lucille who ask her if she would write her brother, Allen. This was the beginning of a love of their life relationship for both. Perfect, no way, but love helped them work together to make it work 53 years, until Allen went to Heaven. Mama Thelma tried to have family get togethers as often as possible sharing her great cooking abilities. She also was a long-time member of 35th Street COG and enjoyed her church family.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Preston Orbison, Sr., Parents, Frazier Clarkson Sealey, Sr. and Gladys Wilson Sealey, 4 brothers, 3 sisters, F.C. Jr., Virginia, Horace, Kathleen, Joe, Sara and Olin. She leaves behind one daughter, Vendora Orbison Martin (Paul), one son, Allen Preston Orbison, Jr. "Buddy"(Rachel) 2 grandchildren, Hope Southern (Matt), Jay Orbison (Falene), 4 Great-grandchildren, Kyla and Eden Southern, Ethan and Nora Orbison. Thelma has nieces and nephews in both Sealey and Orbison families. Also leaving behind friends that were family to her.

Thelma was a joy to have in our life with a very big giving heart and will be missed by all.

We love the phrase Mama Thelma's daughter-in-law; Rachel has shared so many times about HEAVEN:

Be There! Be There! Bring as many as you can when you come.

The family request In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: VIA HEALTH PARTNERS - 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092. (704-732-6146) viahp.org (formerly Hospice & Palliative Care Lincoln County) and also East Belmont Church of God ATTN: Pastor Danny Peterson 320 Catawba Street. Belmont, NC 28012.

The family wishes to thank Pastor Danny Peterson and wife Tina for welcoming us into their church family as our local home church, East Belmont Church of God when things became more challenging for all of us; Central  Church of God in Charlotte, NC prayers and updates keeping us connected; her Pastors, Roy Tucker Jr. and Janice Shook Tucker of her home church in Charlotte, NC for caring to keep in touch, with phone calls and many loving prayers; church friends, Sadie Hammonds, Lucielle Mumford, neighbors and so many more forever friends, who's love and prayers encouraged us along the way; the excellent staff of hospice, that came immediately when called November 3, 2024 to get much needed in home help started to care for our Mama Thelma.