Thelma Roberson Fugate, on March 19, 2015. We are proud to celebrate the life of our mother, Thelma Roberson Fugate. She rose from modest beginnings to build a full, successful life. One of nine children, she was born in a log cabin in 1918 in Franklin County, Illinois, and grew up in Benton, Illinois. She attended Southern Illinois University-Carbondale at a time when very few women attended college and worked as a secretary to pay her way through school. After seeing the quality of her work, the SIU president asked her to work in his office. She graduated with honors in 1941 with a BA degree in education and human services.
While at SIU, mother met Gerald Fugate. They married in 1941, six months before Pearl Harbor. Their happy marriage lasted 67 years until Dad died in 2009. During World War II, mother moved around the U.S. with him and held a variety of office jobs to support the war effort. After the war, they settled in St. Louis where she was a superb homemaker and raised a happy family.
Mother taught us that you should never stop learning. She worked as a substitute teacher, learned to use a computer, studied music and art, and enjoyed singing, playing the violin, and painting in oils. She was a skilled researcher who successfully traced her genealogy to the American Revolution and then to the signing of the Magna Charta in 1215. She was an active member of the Magna Charta Dames and the Webster Groves chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1962 she and Dad joined Ladue Chapel, where she taught Sunday school, volunteered as a deacon, and devoted time to numerous charities.
The family appreciates the attentive care given to Mother by the entire staff at the Stewart Health Center in Charlotte, NC, especially Lois Hand, Patricia Johnson, and Seana Robinson. She is survived by her four children (Nancy Fugate Nye and Bob Nye of Charlotte, NC; Warren Fugate and Eileen Kopchik of Pittsburgh, PA; Dennis Fugate of Godfrey, IL; and Alice Fugate and Steve LoGrasso of Chesterfield, MO); five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made in memory of Thelma Fugate to Beverly Farm at 6301 Humbert Road, Godfrey, IL 62035, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Visitation at 8:30 a.m.; memorial service at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 30 at Ladue Chapel, 9450 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
May 31, 2015
Hello Fugate family,
I read your mom's beautiful obituary in the Charlotte Observer and am sorry for your loss. I live on Fugate Avenue in Charlotte and have been told my street was named after someone who served in WWII. Would Mr. Fugate have been associated with anyone in Charlotte during the early '50s that built houses? Sure would be neat to find out who my street was named after. Thank you for your time.
Lori Polite
[email protected]
April 9, 2015
Sheldon Jones
Dear Cousins,
I just found out about her passing. She was a dear, dear cousin who was the first person I contacted when I found out how related I was to southern Illinois, especially the Benton area. She was always so kind and helpful and I would always stop and see her and Gerald on trips I took to Benton. May God Bless and Keep each of you - I know it has been difficult since Gerald passed away in 2009.
March 30, 2015
Deb Shane
With deepest sympathies for the loss of my dear friend's mother and to all of her family. Her smile shined bright in her and her lovely family. Such a dear sweet love...
March 30, 2015
Ernestine Durante
Ms. Fugate was a wonderful and loving person. I had the pleasure of working with her at the Cypress. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
March 30, 2015
Blondie Mckoy
I am so sorry for your loss.
March 29, 2015
Erin Morrissey
Nancy , Bob and All,
Rick and I are so sorry for your loss. Thelma was a gracious and lovely woman .
You are in our thoughts and prayers .
Rick and Erin ( Littman- Morrissey)
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