Thelma Jean Cantrell

Thelma Jean Cantrell, affectionately known as Madame Butterfly, was born on April 1, 1940 to the late William Randolph and Bessie Randolph Payne and departed this life on October 26th at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

She leaves to mourn her devoted husband of 58 years, Wilburn Cantrell; 4 sons, Derrick Cornelius Cantrell with Stephany (wife), Erynn Lynn Cantrell, Amesha Celeste Cantrell (daughters) and Derrick C. Cantrell, Jr. (son), Robert Richard Cantrell, Timothy Eugene Cantrell (deceased) and Wilburn Maurice Cantrell with Jonna (wife), Triston Maurice Cantrell, Keymon R. Jackson, Gabriel Hester (sons) and Hannah Hester (daughter). She also leaves four great- grandchildren; her sister, Jewerell Blackwell; goddaughter, Kathy Lightfoot; special cousins, Sharon and Blake Samuels, niece, Thalia Blackwell; special chosen sons, Bud Whelchel, Quinn Seay, Juan McAlister, and Jeffrey Fields; special friends: Margie Thomas, Lacrese Hilson, Sylvia Earls, Wynonna Moss. As well as special family friends, Jock and Joyce Horner and her God mother Ora Faye Ramsey. She also leaves behind a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and family friends.

Thelma Jean Cantrell attended Fair Street School where she played the drums in the Fair Street High School Marching Band and was on the Basketball team. She loved caring for children at the Kiddie Campus and in her home.

She was an active member of St. John Baptist Church where she was a very competitive April Club Captain striving to always raise more money than the other month captains. She was the Angelic Voices Choir Treasurer, Deacon’s Wives, a Sunday school teacher, and on the Trustee Committee. She was also actively involved in monthly luncheons with classmates from Fair Street School.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Rev. Stephen Samuel will officiate. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Monday, November 2, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com