Thelma Cohen, 90, of Springfield, passed away on April 14, 2018, with her amazing caregiver by her side. She was born April 9, 1928, in Springfield, the daughter of Fonnie Lee and Ruby Lee Taylor, and the eldest of six children.

Thelma was raised on the family farm and graduated with the Class of 1947 from Fair Grove High School. She married the love of her life, Dr. Mark Cohen, United States Army Air Force Captain and Dentist on January 14, 1955. Together they raised six children, four from Mark's first marriage whose wife was killed in a tragic automobile accident when the children were very young - Dick, David, Ron and Teresa. And Mark and Thelma had two daughters, Pam and Cheryle. Thelma adored and loved unconditionally Mark's children as her own. Mark Cohen died on March 24, 1967 at the age of 51. Thelma married Herbert Cohen in November of 1968, and they were married 42 years. The two Cohens were unrelated.

For many years, Thelma worked in the banking industry, helped in her husband's dental office and held other administrative jobs. She was an active volunteer in numerous school, church, civic and community organizations. In the mid-60's, she chaired a committee, alongside Dorsey Levell, to help start a Child Development Center in the Evangelical United Brethren Church to meet a need of daycare for working parents with children in south Springfield. She also served on many boards and particularly enjoyed two separate terms as President of the Springfield Symphony Guild, the Springfield Art Museum, Renaissance Art Group and SMMA, La Soiree Dance Club, ABWA and St. John's Auxiliary as a hospital volunteer "pink lady".

Thelma was a master at entertaining and hosted many memorable family gatherings, holiday dinners and social functions. She enjoyed making special occasion cakes and loved to work in her yard. Thelma never met stranger and welcomed all into her home. She was a beautiful lady with a contagious smile and cherished her family. She was such a proud grandmother, missing few, if any, of her granddaughters' productions at Springfield Little Theatre, school theatre shows and concerts, dance, piano and voice recitals, and loved taking them shopping, dining or whatever other excuses she could dream up to be with them.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mark Cohen, brother Richard Taylor, brother Robert Taylor, son Ron Cohen and infant great grandson, Charlie Phillip.

Survivors include her children Dick Cohen, Kansas City, David Cohen, Springfield, Teresa (David) Kozikowski, Conyers, Georgia, Pam (Gary) Cunningham, Springfield, Cheryle (Mike) Hodges, Springfield, as well as grandchildren Rick (Carrie) Cohen, LeAnn (Nate) Williams, Daron (Stephany) Cohen, Christin (Joshua) Barr, Jodi (Chris) Phillip, Abby Hodges, Nicki Hodges, great grandson Boone Phillip and a two day old great granddaughter Rory Phillip. Additional survivors include sister Nellie (Dick) Vedder, brother F. L. Taylor, Jr., brother James (Burnabelle) Taylor, sister-in-law Frances Unruh, aunt Imogene Taylor and a host of other caring family and friends.

Our family would like to thank Good Shepherd Hospice, Quail Creek and Birch Pointe in caring for Mom during the last several years. Our utmost appreciation, admiration and gratitude to Mom's wonderful caregiver, Paulette Spray, who attended to every minute detail of Thelma's whims, wants and desires over the last 4 plus years.

Celebration of Life Service will be at Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home on Thursday, April 19 at 10:00 a.m., with visitation immediately following the service. Private family burial will be at Springfield National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please honor our Mom with memorial contributions in her name to the Springfield Symphony or the Springfield Art Museum.