Thelma Cullars

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Trust in God; trust also in me.

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going there to prepare a place for you”. ~ John 14: 1-3

Thelma Brown Cullars was born on Thursday, September 26, 1929 in St. Matthews, S.C. and departed this life on Monday, February 14, 2022 after a short stay at the White Oak Nursing facility in Rock Hill, SC.  She was surrounded by her loving family.  Thelma was one of twelve children born to the late Frank and Francis E. Weststone Brown.  She was preceded in death by all of her siblings, her eldest daughter; Rosemary Burroughs and her only son; Eddie Shuler.

At an early age, Thelma joined the Greater Mt. Pisgah AME Church, in St. Matthews, S.C. and maintained an affiliation with Mt. Pisgah throughout her life.  She moved to Bronx, New York in 1959, where she lived for 23 years.  During her time in New York, Thelma attended Spring Green Baptist Church and Greater Universal Baptist Church.  No matter where she lived, Thelma was a pillar of her community who shared God’s word with everyone she met.  To show her love for Christ, she would often wear a hat, shirt, scarf or jewelry displaying  love for her Savior and perfect strangers would stop her to communicate their love for Christ. 

When she returned to SC, she and her husband, Crawford Cullars, purchased a pink house on Greenville Street in Orangeburg.  She was known to always have a bible on her kitchen table and she witnessed to all of her visitors about the greatness of God.  She freely shared her wisdom and great food with everyone, which led to many adopting her as their second mother.  She affectionately became known as “Ma” to all.

Thelma has always loved feeding people and her life’s work reflected that passion.  She held positions in meat packaging, cooked in a cafeteria, and served as a dietary aid in a nursing facility.  She also owned her own soul-food restaurant called “Ma’s Place,” where she made every item from scratch and cooked organically long before it became popular.  Although, she had a 6th grade education, her goals and ambitions far exceeded her educational attainments.  She inspired all of her children to pursue higher education (which they all did) and she constantly told them, “You can be anything you want to be in this world.”  She often said, “If I had been able to get higher education, I would have probably been the President of the United States!”

Thelma leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 52 1/2 years, Crawford Cullars; three loving daughters; Ann Frances Shuler (Erasmo Gual), Valeria Shuler and Dawn Johnson (Lyman T.); 13 grandchildren; Lashawn Lee, Janel Howard, Felicia Brown, Sean Hunter, Danielle Hatchett, Terri Bennett-Bess, Kip Lee (Koya), Garry Shuler, Ashley Shuler, Channon Burroughs, Nijera Shuler, Nia Shuler, and Teryn Johnson.  She has several honorary children; Shirley Garrett and granddaughters, Kim Blakeley and Janell Richardson, Jane Hunter, Tonzel Shuler (Helen), and Wilbur Shuler (Queen Ella).  She also leaves several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, special relatives and close friends.

Well done, thy good and faithful servant, well done.

You ran the race well.

You touched many lives

By your work through Jesus Christ.

You finished strong.

Now, you are headed home

To be with your Lord and Savior forever.

The service will proceed as follows:

The viewing will be held on Friday, February 25,2022 at Glover's Funeral Home from 1:00pm until 7:00pm.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 26,2022 at Mt. Pisgah AME Church 4859 Old State Rd. St. Matthews,SC 29135 beginning at 1:00pm. All those attending service must wear a mask and adhere to all COVID-19 rules and regulations.

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