Thelma Burdine

Thelma Jane Adams Burdine

1927 ~ 2020

Our loving mother gained her wings on July 7, 2020, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born on November 6, 1927, in Marion County, Indiana, to David and Kathrene (Bullock) Adams. Mom was only 3 years-old when her mother passed away, but she was later blessed with a loving stepmother, Ruth (Richardson) Adams.

Mom married our dad, Archie Burdine on April 21, 1946, and later divorced. Mom was a free spirit and lived life on her own terms. She had a great sense of humor and loved people. She made beautiful quilts and was a pen pal to many friends and family members. She loved her grandkids and was known as Grandma Sugar.

She is survived by her children, Phil (Karen) Burdine, Gino Burdine, Arwana (Robert) Kelsey, and Angie (BJ) Mills; 8 Grandchildren; 22 Great-Grandchildren; 15 Great-Great-Grandchildren; and 4 siblings, Bill Adams, Faye Whitaker, Betty Smith, and Anthony Adams. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Forrest Burdine; granddaughter, Cammie Leedom; grandson, Wyatt Kelsey; great-granddaughter, Ariana Burdine; 6 siblings; and her partner of 40 plus years, Gene Nelson.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association.