Thelma Jean Lehman

Thelma Jean (Johnston) Lehman, 94, of Lamar, MO, a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Thursday February 6, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, sacrifice, and cherished family traditions.

She was born in Pryor, OK to Audie Ray and Allie Mae (Madole) Johnston. She grew up surrounded by music and the warmth of a close-knit home. A proud majorette in high school, she carried that same spirit and energy throughout her life, always leading with grace, dedication, and unwavering love for her family. She married Roy Lehman on November 5, 1950.

Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life. In the early years of marriage, she made sacrifices so her children never had to go without. She nurtured them with love, hard work, and home-cooked meals, often using the fresh produce from her own garden, which she tended with care. She canned, she cooked, and she created a home filled with warmth and laughter.

Her happiest moments were spent with loved ones—whether enjoying the music-filled Johnston family gatherings, better known as the Johnston stomp, where talented hands played instruments and hearts bonded over homemade ice cream, or spending special days shopping at Macy’s with her daughter Penni, often with a scoop of pink ice cream to sweeten the day.

She is survived by her loving sons, Jerald (Connie) Lehman and Allen (Lisa) Lehman; twin daughters, Kenda Garfield and Karma (Mark) Hartong, all of Lamar; grandchildren, Nicole (Micah) Osborne, Brandon (Brittanii) Lehman, Kelsey (Brandon) Parker, Whitney (Jeffrey) Begley, Parker (Ciara) Garfield, Alison (Mitchell) Hedrick, and Taylor (Austin) Doran; and her great-grandchildren, Eli and Ella Osborne; Trentyn, Talia, Jaidyn, and Jaxton Lehman; Karson and Sophia Parker; Macey Garfield; Gracee and Graysen Garfield; Lane and Sloane Hedrick; and Lydia, Delilah, and Violet Doran. She is also survived by her sister, Connie (Bud) Taylor of Liberty, MO.

She is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband of 73 years, her parents, her daughter Penni Lehman, son-in-law Mark Garfield, and her dear brothers Dean, Don, Bud, Gailand, and Gary Johnston, as well as her sister Maxine Francis.

The family will receive visitors from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by an 11:00 AM service on Monday February 10, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Lamar, MO.

Her life was a testament to love, perseverance, and the beauty of family. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.