Obituary of Thelma O'Bannon Orwig

Thelma O’Bannon Orwig, 99 passed away peacefully February 22, 2024. Born April 14, 1924 in LaBelle Florida to Edwin Monroe O’Bannon and Lydia Maze.
 Thelma remained a lifelong resident of LaBelle and was involved in many community activities and organizations.  Thelma graduated from LaBelle High School where she participated in band and sports. She remained close to many of her classmates and looked forward to there yearly class reunions.
She was married to her soulmate, Harry L. Orwig Jr. for over 50 years.  They were married in Carlson Memorial United Methodist Church where they both were lifetime members and also served as trustees.  Her love of children led her to work in the Hendry county school system for 18 years. After her retirement she spent her time with her family and friends and especially with her grandsons Robert Patrick Middleton III and Jonathan Russell Frank. She loved to travel with her husband Harry and particularly liked vacationing at the beach with her family.
Thelma was very proud of her O’Bannon heritage. She researched her families journey from Ireland to Missouri and other parts of America. She belonged to the Okeechobee chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution, where she was the families most direct descendent of Thomas O’Bannon MO 3rd Infantry CO.B. 
She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry L. Orwig Jr., her son, Robert P. Middleton Jr, parents Edwin Monroe O’Bannon and Lydia Maze, sisters Mary Irene (Wilder), Virgie Anna O’Bannon, Ruby May (Eubanks), brothers Amos Edwin, Virgil Lester, Lloyd Monroe, Phannon and Ralph Monroe. She loved reading, gardening, crocheting, quilting, and was an accomplished baker. She loved to feed people. Friends were often greeted at their door with a cake, pie or cookies. 
Thelma was a loving wife, mother, aunt,  mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. Thelma was an integral part of her family and she will be dearly missed.
From her daughter Susan Orwig Davidson: While going through her bible I found notes with quotes and thoughts she had written and stuck between the pages. On one particular note she had drawn a big star.
It reads: “Now not Later.  I will pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it, or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. This is the motto I try to live by 10/22/1965, Thelma O’ Orwig”.  Those who know her will attest she did just that.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 4th, 2024 at Carlson Methodist Church 310 Campbell Street in LaBelle Florida. Visitation is at 10am, service will be at 11AM with burial following at Ft Denaud cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests you donate to your favorite local or national charity.  Arrangements by Akin-Davis funeral home.