Obituary of Thelma Lilian Cofie

Thelma Lilian Naa Kaaley Cofie, age 75 of Reston, VA, passed away on Friday, December 20, 2019. She was born in Accra, Ghana to the late Lt. Gen. Joseph Arthur Ankrah and Elizabeth Oyoe Quartey on October, 17 1944. Thelma attended Methodist Girls Elementary School and Mfantsiman High School in Ghana, before attending college in France at L’Ecoles Nationale des Beaux Arts (National School of Fine Arts). She majored in textile and design. After graduating in 1972, Thelma was engaged to Joseph Cofie and moved to the United States. Thelma and Joseph were married at Culmore United Methodist Church on November 24, 1974. A selfless, loving, and dedicated wife and mother, Thelma enjoyed caring for her family and loved attending and hosting family gatherings and special events especially during the holidays. Though she had a degree in design, Thelma loved sewing clothes for her children, grandchildren, family, and friends. It was her joy to care for and spend time with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Thelma was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in July of 2018. Despite the bleak diagnosis, Thelma remained hopeful, trusting God with her life. In the weeks leading up to her passing she leaned on the Lord, knowing she was loved. Thelma is survived by her husband, Joseph Cofie; four children, Josephine Arrington, Jane Cofie, Jeraldine Otero, and Joann Seward; fifteen grandchildren, Trinity, Benjamin, Laila, Sierra, Ezra, Mia, Avery, Eden, Michael, Robyn, Matthew, Rosalynn, Noelle, Immanuel, and Joseph; her five sisters, Vivian, Eleanor, Jessie, Sylvia, and Beatrice; and a number of loving aunts, uncles, half siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends. The family wishes to thank all of those who loved and cared for her during her last days. For those who have known Thelma in her blessed journey with us, a service celebrating her life will be held on January 3 at 11:00 AM at Herndon United Methodist, 701 Bennett St, Herndon, Virginia.