Thelma Lester Broadway

Thelma Lester Broadway, 96, of Columbia, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. She was the widow of Arthur E. Broadway and the daughter of Newton Raymond Lester and Esther Nichols Lester. She was born on July 12, 1927, in Prosperity, SC. She graduated from Stoney Hill High School where she then attended Cosmetology school. She was a dedicated devoted mother who always took care of everyone else before herself and loved to help others. She was a faithful member of St. Andrews Baptist Church for over 60 years who loved and worshipped the Lord in every way. Her passion was providing food weekly to the pantry there and gathering with her friends to study the bible. She was a hairdresser for a few years but then she met a sweet family whom she became their nanny for twelve years and she loved those children like her own who received more joy getting to attend the weddings of all three children. Thelma loved to walk at the mall every day, attend her neighborhood community meetings, take care of Tiny her doggy who lived to be 17 years old with her loving care and stay busy doing something all the time. She enjoyed food so much and she couldn’t wait to eat when her son-in-law David was cooking. She was the sweetest person who even through her 8year struggle with dementia always smiled. Thelma was able to stay in her home with 24/7 care by her faithful loving caregivers Judy, Sophie, Brittany, Keisha, Angie, Mechelle, Betty, Debi & Pam who all are angels here on earth who loved her deeply, as well as her hospice nurse Kim, CNA Shakea, and the entire team at Agape Care Hospice who provided excellent care for almost three years. Also her neighbors Miss Queenie & Tyrone were always there to help and she loved them dearly. Thelma is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Elaine Broadway of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Marian Broadway Taylor (David) of Gastonia, North Carolina; and her son, Ernest E. Broadway of Columbia. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Matthew (Meghan); Hannah; and Nicholas Broadway; Lauren Taylor Scott (Austin); and Ross Taylor (Kennedy); along with three great-grandchildren, Timothy; Chase; and Brielle Broadway. There will be a private burial on Monday January 8th and then a Celebration of Life on January 27th in the Sanctuary of St. Andrews Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. The service will be followed by desserts and coffee in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Andrews Baptist Church Benevolence Fund. 230 Bush River Rd. Columbia SC 29210.