Thelma Lucille Pingry

Thelma L. Cockrill Pingry went home to be with the Lord, May 1, 2024, at Northpoint Skilled Care in Paola, KS, at the age of 98. Born October 24, 1925, the daughter of James Harrison and Nona Storms Cockrill in rural Parker, KS.

Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 9, 2024, with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., at the Victory Baptist Church of Osawatomie. Burial will take place at the Osawatomie Cemetery.

She was raised on a farm and attended grade school in Parker, Liberty Country School and Parker High School, graduating in 1943 and then ventured to Kansas City for a summer job at Sears Catalog office answering mail. She married her High School sweetheart, William (Bill) Pingry on November 10, 1943, in San Marcus, TX, where he was in training in the Military Service in World War II. She worked at numerous jobs while following Bill in training also in Austin, TX and Sioux Falls, SD. While Bill was stationed overseas in the South Pacific, she worked at the Lake City Defense Plant office in Kansas City, MO. After the war they moved to Lake Charles, LA, where their oldest daughter, Carol was born and later moved back to Kansas, living in Lenexa when second daughter, Patsy was born, then a move to Osawatomie. A few years later, Thelma and family moved to Topeka. Thelma worked at Crosby's department store in ladies fashions. She made twelve trips to New York as a women's wear buyer for Crosby's. Eventually they went back to Osawatomie where she enjoyed working at the Coach Light shop for eleven years.

Thelma liked to grow flowers and enjoyed cooking and baking, especially for family and friends. She received Christ as her Saviour in August of 1971, had Bible study classes in her home when she was a member of Green Valley Church. She was a founding member of Victory Baptist Church in Osawatomie, which began in her and Bill's home. She taught Sunday School for almost twenty five years. Thelma and Bill traveled within the U.S. and abroad enjoying many trips.

Preceding her in death was her beloved husband of sixty three years, parents, one brother, Everett Cockrill, son-in-law, Jim Archer, and step-granddaughter, Danielle Buckridge.

Survivors include her daughters, Carol Archer of Olathe, KS, Patsy Bortner (Eugene "Bud") of Paola, KS, two grandsons, David Archer of Olathe, Michael Archer (Joni) of Olathe, two granddaughters, Tracey McAbee (Chris) of Phoenix, AZ, Sarah Puvvula (Naga) of Spring Hill, KS, two great-granddaughters, Jenna and Leah Archer and two great-grandsons, Brendan and Oliver Archer, all of Olathe.

Thelma loved her Lord and Saviour, her Church, family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Victory Baptist Church of Osawatomie.

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