Theda Stepp's Obituary
The Lord called Theda Margaret Jones home October 26th, 2021. Theda was born December 8th, 1921 in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Her childhood and adolescent years were spent at the family home in Chesterfield County. Theda was the descendant of a proud family of hard-working farmers, lumbermen, and sharecroppers. It should also be mentioned that the family homestead was purchased by her grandfather and uncle after becoming free men. This is especially significant given the legacy of slavery for Black people in this country and around the world.
Mom graduated from high school in Petersburg, VA and attended Virginia State University. She married at a young age and moved to Tacoma, WA where she raised her 5 children. Theda worked for the State of Washington at the Rainier School in Buckley, WA for 45 years where she worked as an attendant counselor, working with the developmentally disabled population. This was her love. She often spoke of her clients as her kids. She was a strict disciplinarian, demanding love and perfection from her staff. She was nicknamed “Sarge.”
Theda’s family was her life. She loved and adored her family. Theda raised her 5 children on her own in an era when it was difficult for Black women to gain employment. In fact, Theda cleaned houses for white people for $10.00 a day, riding the bus to her jobs, bringing the $10.00 home to feed her family. You could liken her experience to that of the movie, “The Help,” which reflects the experience of so many Black women.
She became a homeowner and loved to garden. She had a garden every year until her health failed. She loved animals, and always had at least one animal companion with her. We cannot forget to mention her little buddy, Mr. Tipp, her Welsh Corgi. She loved Mr. Tipp. We would hear her asking where is “Mr. Tipp, where is my boy?”
While not an avid church goer, she loved the Lord and instilled the love of God into her children and the importance of loving and being kind to all people.
She is proceeded in death by her mother, Clara McWilliams Jones; father, Hezekiah Jones; brothers, Frederick Jones and Hezekiah Jones Jr. and Stanley Jones; sisters, Evelyn Jones, Ruby Jones, and Ruth Jones; daughter Delores T. Stepp, sons, Ernest H., Stepp, Jr. and Charles E. Stepp. Theda is survived by sons Barry E. Stepp, Steven T. Stepp, daughter Doreen X; grandson, Ernest H. Stepp Jr; granddaughters, Asia Andrews, Brooke Stepp, Lindsey Wade, Michelle Stewart, Nicole Stepp, and Sharee Stepp, and numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Theda, a servant, a friend, a mother, and Nana to her 3 generations of grandchildren.
What’s your fondest memory of Theda?
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