Thelma "Teddy" F. Kales Magin

Thelma “Teddy” F. Kales Magin January 26, 1943 – August 7, 2015 Thelma Francis Magin (born Thelma Kales) passed away peacefully in her home August 7, 2015. Known as “Teddy” to many because growing up, folks thought she looked like a teddy bear, this lady devoted her entire life to showing Christian love and charity to others. Growing up in rural Arkansas, Thelma was one of six girls, and she learned early on about hard work, patience and dedication to your family. At 14, she got her first job, and bought a gift for her beloved mother - the very first “store-bought” dress her mama’d ever owned. That nature of making your life centered around someone else’s health and happiness and of putting family first no matter what, continued all her days. With a widespread family of loved ones ranging from Missouri all the way down home to Arkansas (and a few places not in between!), this was a woman who didn’t let her family slip away – no matter how many miles lay between. She made sure to keep in touch with loved ones regardless of how far away they lived or how many years had passed since they’d seen each other. She made sure they knew she cared, that she was thinking of them and taking the time to pray for them – every single day. Thelma had a way about her, a mysterious way of making every one around her feel special and loved, and making every thing in life feel okay...and the woman could be quite a rascal when she wanted to be. If you needed a laugh, Teddy would find a way to make you smile. Throughout her life, Thelma worked tirelessly at various demanding jobs to raise and support her daughter Shannon, and later to raise and continue supporting her granddaughter Saira and Saira’s family, all the while refusing help for herself – regardless of the hurdles. One of her few regrets was that due to her declining health, she wasn’t able to spend as much time with her darling grandson Zachary and great-granddaughter Layla, as she would have liked. The long hours she put in working for so many years took their toll on her body – but never her spirit. Through the years of struggle, she suffered through many dark moments, but always seemed to pull herself back from the abyss and set her own troubles aside when anyone else was in need. Thelma’s was a life of selfless charity, and she truly did all she could to walk in the footsteps of Christ. Those footsteps finally led her home. She is survived by many loving family members who celebrate her life, and grieve her loss in the deepest way. She is survived by her daughter Shannon Arnold, son-in-law Chris Arnold, her grandson Zach Arnold, her granddaughter Saira Bottemuller, grandson-in-law David Bottemuller, great-granddaughter Layla Bottemuller, sisters Dee Carroll and Joyce Goldsmith, and an extensive and cherished ensemble of friends and long-distance family. She will be missed; the kindness she gave will long outlive her mortal body. Thelma’s legacy is a garden of kindness planted in the hearts of a thousand lives she touched – we will continue to grow in her honor, and to thrive. We love you, Mamaw. Services will be held in Kansas City on Saturday, September 5 to allow long-distance family time to accomodate for travel. For those who cannot make the journey but want to leave memories, thoughts, or well-wishes, a Facebook account has been set up online in her honor. Please feel free to come to the memorial or visit the memorial page online. For details on the location and time of the physical memorial service, please look to the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thelmateddy.magin for the announcement of venue and time, or feel free to contact Saira by voice/text/voicemail at 913-832-4088 or email at sabottemuller@hotmail.com.

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Thelma "Teddy" F. Kales Magin

January 26, 1943 - August 7, 2015