Thelma was born Thelma Mae Perry in E. St. Louis, IL. On June 26, 1936 to Robert and Minnie Perry. She graduated from Lincoln High School, E. St. Louis in June of 1954 and attended college at Indiana University. She returned to her roots of E. St. Louis where she met and married Donald E. Wayne. They had been married for over 40 years when Donald was called home in June of 2001. Thelma worked for Southwestern Bell (AT&T) for 30 years when she retired. Thelma stayed busy with family, friends, and her church group, Bellefontaine Methodist where she started a food pantry to serve the community.

Thelma's death was preceded by three of her older siblings Martha Terrell, Delores Perry, and Robert Perry; two of her younger siblings, Carol Petty and Ethel Petty, and her grandson, Brandon Wayne. She is survived by her younger sister, Willie Esther Marcano, her children Vanessa Wayne (Karl Hutchinson) and Myron Wayne (Kymberley Wayne) and her grandchildren Perri Hutchinson, Jared Wayne, Morgan Hutchinson (Corey Jones) and Myles Wayne.