Mrs. Glenda Mae (Thomas) Dietrich, age 68, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 in her sleep. She was born on Oct. 29, 1948 in Madison, Fl. to Melvin and Ruby McCracken Thomas, and was welcomed home tenderly by her sweet Aunt Eva Russell. Nineteen years later, she married her sweetheart, Perry Dietrich, on May 5, 1967.
Glenda loved to bring people together to enjoy her wonderful cooking, baking and canning. Even in her final days, she was planning what to cook for Thanksgiving dinner, and wondering if four different kinds of pies would be “enough.” Her kitchen was a place where love was stirred, kneaded and preserved for others to enjoy. She filled her friends and family members’ hearts with love, and their bellies with turkey and dressing. Glenda loved fishing, collecting cookbooks (three tons of them, according to Perry), bluebirds, daisies, and her tiny chihuahuas, who adored her.
Glenda is survived by her spouse, Perry, of 50 years; her son, Jess of Valdosta, Ga.; and daughter, Julie (Carlos) of Boca Raton, Fl.; as well as her four sisters and two brothers, all of whom showed her great care and tenderness: Nell (Hamp) Holton of Lake City, Fl.; Gilbert (Sue) Thomas of St. Johns, Fl.; Lester Thomas of Lee, Fl.; Kathryn (Eddie) Hale of Lee, Fl.; Rachel Penny of Lee, Fl.; and Tommie Bodenstein of Madison, Fl.; her nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and her little Daisy. Glenda is reunited in heaven now with loved ones, including her precious baby daughter, Lisa.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Oct. 26, with visitation at 2 p.m. and funeral services at 3 p.m. Pastors Ronnie Combass and Trent Abbott officiated. Interment services were held at Oakridge Cemetery, in Madison. Arrangements were under the direction of Beggs Funeral Home of Madison.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery Fund are appreciated, and may be sent, in memory of Glenda, to Chris Thompson, 1418 Longleaf Dr., in Live Oak, Fl. 32064.