Thelma Cornelia Presnell

Thelma Cornelia Rector Presnell, age 87, of Marion, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine.  Her loving family was by her side.  Born in Burke County, North Carolina on May 17, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Cora Robinson Rector. 

Thelma, following 22 years of service, retired from the McDowell County Schools where she was a cosmetology instructor at McDowell High School.  She was an active member of Women’s Christian Club, National Council on Aging and often participated for the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem program.  Known as the “greatest grandma” ever, Thelma was a member of Garden Creek Baptist Church and later attended Bethel Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Lee Presnell; one grandson, Levi Maltba; and a brother, Frank Rector.

She is survived by one son, Charles Presnell, Jr. and wife, Sherie; one brother, Stanley W. Rector and wife, Joyce; three sisters, Pat Vess and husband, Claude, Frances McMahan and husband, Mike and Lorene Craddock and husband, Bill; two grandsons, Corey Presnell and wife, Lacey and Garrett Presnell and fiancée, Kelsey.  She is also survived by one goddaughter, Kathy Guerrero.

A funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Presnell will be held Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy Upton officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., prior to the service, at the church.

Interment will be held on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at McDowell Memorial Park.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Thelma’s memory are asked to consider, Dustin Waycaster Fund, 6 Lukes Loop, Marion, North Carolina 28752, Firefighters for a Cure, P.O. Box 1646, Marion, North Carolina 28752 and/or North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Fund, 323 West Jones Street, Suite 401, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603.