Thelma Letchworth
1935 - 2026

Thelma Letchworth, age 90, went to be with the Lord on February 5, 2026. She passed away peacefully at her residence in Sopchoppy.

Thelma was a lifelong resident of Florida, born on July 13, 1935, in Madison to the late Ida and Delma O'Quinn. Affectionately nicknamed "Babes," she grew up in the Madison area, where she helped farm tobacco and cotton as a child—experiences that shaped her strong work ethic and deep appreciation for the land.

She graduated from Greenville High School and later from Florida State University, eventually settling in the Tallahassee area for the duration of her career. In the 1960s, Thelma served as a teacher at Leonard Wesson Elementary School. She later worked for the Leon County Clerk's Office throughout the 1970s.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Thelma continued her public service with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There, she played an instrumental role in preserving Florida's natural resources—something she cared about deeply. Among her many accomplishments, she helped secure millions of dollars in matching federal funds to protect and improve the 100-mile Indian River Lagoon in coastal central Florida and the Florida Keys.

Thelma enjoyed an active life. She loved long walks in nature, observing wildlife, and spending time at the beach. Above all, she cherished her family—her siblings, children, and especially her grandchildren. She found great joy living next door to her daughter Tess and family. A strong and faithful Christian, Thelma made it known that she prayed every morning for each member of her family. Her steadfast faith was a cornerstone of her life. A lover of local seafood, she could often be found on weekends enjoying a meal with her daughter Wendy at Posey's Steam Room in Panacea—a simple pleasure that brought her great happiness.

Thelma was previously married to Jack Letchworth of Monticello. Together they were blessed with five children.

She is survived by four of her children and their spouses: Wendy Mountain (Dr. Tim) of Tallahassee; Jay Letchworth (Charlene) of Cumming; Gary Letchworth (Janet) of Indialantic; and Tess Coetzee (former husband Sven) of Sopchoppy, Florida. She is also survived by her sisters and their spouses: Tempa Lee Walker (Herman) of DeFuniak Springs; Joy Hutchinson (Jesse) of Mexico Beach; and Cathie Brooks (husband Randy Sharpton) of Tallahassee, Florida.

Thelma was the proud grandmother of Pamela Ehrenreich (Joe), Viktor Letchworth, Kelly Lorentz (Dean), Sandra Mountain, Chelsea Letchworth, Brian Harris, Jack Coetzee, and Joey Coetzee. She was further blessed with five great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lee Ann Letchworth Harris; her grandson, Garrett Steel Mountain; and her siblings, Dorothy "Dot" Blair, Burl O'Quinn, and Albert O'Quinn.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life for Thelma "Babes" Letchworth at a later date.