The Matriarch of the McBride family was welcomed into Love's Heavenly gates on June 6, 2019.

Thelma Anita McBride, 57, was born March 18, 1962 to Doris and Randel McBride in the city of Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Simply put, Thelma loved children and they loved her. It was a gift from God and Thelma knew how to use it. She would often say, "Who will stand for a child? Ms. McBride will always stand up and speak up for children."

She attended Muskogee Public Schools where she graduated in the class of 1980. She then matriculated to Langston University, Langston Oklahoma where she completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Development and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Fall '82 14KT Gold.

Thelma was an outstanding educator for more than 30 years in Long Beach, California.

She leaves in God's care a brother she loved dearly, Christopher Allen McBride, Muskogee Oklahoma, a sister, Lydia McBride, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, a niece, Shanae McBride, Lawton Oklahoma; along with a special friend and Denise Wall, Dallas Texas and Chiquita Ponds of Tulsa Oklahoma.

She also leaves to cherish her memory "Tweety" her Indian Ring neck bird and two Love "love birds" "hi baby"
"Special thanks to Donna, Valarie and Toot her Long Beach, California family."