Thelma Elizabeth Franklin China, 87, widow of the late Robert L. China, Sr., died Monday July 12, 2010 at Tuomey  Regional Medical Center. Born in Sumter she was the daughter of the late Hugh and Eliza White Franklin.

 

At an early age she accepted Christ and became a member of Beulah AME Church in Sumter where she served in many capacities. She was the immediate past Steward Pro-tem, president of the Senior Choir, and president of the Women's Missionary Society for eight years, she continued active with both organizations until her health failed.Other church affiliations included the Stewardess Board and as a Deaconess for the AME Church, Ladies Club, Church School Teacher, past secretary of the Steward Board, part of the kitchen minisrty, and secretary of the Brotherhood Union for St. Paul AME, Beulah AME and Mt. Nebo Baptist Church for 32 years. She was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. Her civic affiliations included membership and past president of the Palmetto State Law enforcement Officers Association Wives Auxillary, a member of the Mary McLeod Bethune chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, and a member and past president of the Superb Ladies Club of Sumter as well as block chairman of the American Cancer Society. Mrs. China was among the first group of WMS Touch Lighters selected in the Sumter District of the AME Church.

 

In adddition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Claudia Laws, one brother Sam Franklin and four brother-in-laws: Charlie Laws, Rudolph Ward, Joseph Smith and Daniel White; a son-in-law, James Stukes. 

 

Surviving are: three daughters: Bessie (Rev. Joshua) Dupree, Nancy (David) Green, and Gwendolyn China all of Sumter, five sons: Gerald (Dale) China of Atlanta GA, Norman (Reatha) China, Rev. Robert (Gail) China, Hugh (Kathy) China, and Austin China all of Sumter; three sisters: Hilda Smith of Columbia, Mattie Mae (Precious) White of Brooklyn, NY and Sallie Ward of Clearwater, Florida; two adopted sons: Richard Swinton and Franklin Robinson of Sumter, one sister-in-law Amelia Franklin of Sumter, one brother-in-law Joe Louis (Laura) China of Miami, Florida, 39

grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

 

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m Friday, July 16, at Beulah AME Church, with the pastor, Reverend Dwayne Bruce, Presiding, assisted by Rev. Robert L. China, Jr. Eulogist, Rev Robert E. Galloway, Rev. Saint Julius Snyder, Adam L. China and Rev. Betty Clark. Interment will follow in the Beulah AME church cemetery.

 

Mrs. China will be placed in the church for viewing 10:00 a.m. Friday until the hour of service. The public may view Mrs. China from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening.The family will receive friends at the residence,109 Gate Street in Sumter. On-line memorials may be made to palmermemorialchapel.com