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You could frequently hear bluegrass or gospel music floating loudly through Thelma’s house.

Thelma May, 90, of Alliance, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on July 14, 2026. Thelma was born to Albert and Emma Holbrook on June 4, 1936, near Olive Hill, Kentucky. She was the 6th of 9 children and loved to recount tales of growing up on a farm with all her siblings. Thelma met her future husband, Clyde, in a little one-room schoolhouse where they both attended elementary school. They married on July 25, 1957, and had three beautiful daughters.

Family was everything to both Thelma and Clyde. Thelma cared for many family members throughout her life. She attended church at Alliance Freewill Baptist for over 35 years and was a dedicated member of the Ladies Auxiliary. You could frequently hear bluegrass or gospel music floating loudly through Thelma’s house and could often find her on the porch, enjoying the hummingbirds who faithfully stopped by her feeders. But one thing was certain—she always had a delicious treat on hand, and the main ingredient was always love. She was a legendary baker, great cook, skilled quilter, and voracious reader.

Upon reaching her new heavenly home, Thelma was finally reunited with her husband, Clyde May, parents Albert and Emma Holbrook, siblings Eugene (Ruby) Holbrook, Nadine (Erskine) Walker, Floyd (Vada) Holbrook, Jewel (Talmadge) Rose, Julia Holbrook, Haskell (Betty June) Holbrook, sister-in-law Betty Louise Holbrook, and brother-in-law Tom Bell, and close friend Faye Tucker.

Thelma will be deeply missed by her daughters Ruth (Dave) Whitten, Sharon (Bob) Eldridge, and Emma May, who share her strong work ethic, determination, creativity, spirit of independence, and an enduring sense of humor. She was adoringly known as Granny, playing a central role in the lives of her grandchildren Melissa, Shaun, Valerie, and Jared, her great-grandchildren Courtney and Willa, and her Great-great-grandchildren Maleah, Bentley, Jeremiah, and Coraline. She will also be missed by her brother, Jimmie Holbrook, with whom she shared many travel adventures, and her sister Lynette Bell, with whom she shared her passion for reading and growing things from the earth, and by many other family members and friends. 

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She always had a delicious treat on hand, and the main ingredient was always love.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to her granddaughter, Valerie, for all the help and support in Thelma's last days.

A time of visitation will take place on Monday, July 20th, from 10-12 pm at Alliance Freewill Baptist Church, 731 Buckeye Avenue, Alliance. Funeral Service will follow at 12 pm with Rev. Bob Eldridge officiating. Burial will take place at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Beloit will take place at 2 pm. In place of flowers, the family is requesting donations to The Alliance Freewill Baptist Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Dean's Funeral Home, Sebring.