Thelma Winkler-Beach Leaves Lasting Legacy

GRAND TERRACE>> On Thursday, March 16, Thelma Etta Winkler-Beach at the age of 99 passed away just shy of her 100th birthday. Thelma Etta Winkler-Beach would tell people that her real full name was "Thelma Etta Jane Williams Banks Winkler Beach,” but most people in the Grand Terrace Community knew her as “Thelma Winkler.” She was born on May 23, 1917 in Spartanburg, South Carolina and was raised by her widowed mother. Thelma went to school in South Carolina and later married Bill Winkler, the man who she would call the “love of her life.” Together, they moved to New York during his time in the army during World War II. Thelma had two sons John, from her first marriage, and Joe, a son she shared with Bill. She remained a housewife for 14 years and later went to work for the Department of Corrections in New York for 21 years. At the age of 50, she began attending college at Manhattan Community College and was later awarded a scholarship to the prestigious John J. College of Criminal Justice. "She had a huge capacity for learning and had a high level of intelligence," said John Banks. "She was different from the rest of her relatives and even the cultured she was raised in due to her willingness to learn." During her time in New York, she was very active in the PTA in trying to get physically disabled children in school. She was unrelenting in seeking cooperation from the legislators in Albany, New York; Washington D.C. and the board of education in New York City. "When I was younger (my school) didn't want me going into regular classes, so they forced my into homeschool for awhile. It was my mom's fighting that got me into regular classes, and because of her fighting, it's probably why I am who I am today," said Joe Winkler. She was instrumental to getting the Mainstream Law included in the civil rights law; she was honored at the Convention of the Employment of the Handicapped in New York City. Thelma continued her work with the Coalition of the Handicapped in New York City and with a church and society group with the Congressional Methodist Church. She was also fundamental in keeping funds in “headquarters specifically for the disabled.” Her sons describe her as a crusader that resembled Don Quixote and his infamous zeal for justice. "She didn't give up on anything, she had so much conviction and loyalty I can't recall a time that she wasn't there for me," Winkler said. In 1984, Thelma and Bill moved to Southern California and lived in Grand Terrace for the rest of their days. Still, Thelma continued to be very active in her community. "Personally, I don't think Thelma ever met a stranger in her life - she had a charming way of being able to visit with anyone she encountered," said Grand Terrace Mayor Darcy McNaboe. "She had a wealth of experiences and stories to go along with them, and a sweet smile. She always spoke her mind, you knew exactly where she stood on any issue. She will be missed." Thelma got involved with the Grand Terrace Senior Center, and while on the board, she set up a referral center out of her home. Along with the board, she pushed city officials for a senior-citizens building for their community, which was accomplished. When she was 94 years old, she ran for State Assemblymember of District 47. She received The California Family Caregiver Award in 1995 and was nominated for the award by the Inland Caregiver Resource Center for her, “exemplary courage, dedication and commitment as a caregiver.” Thelma was involved in numerous organizations such as the Republicans Women's Club, the Grand Terrace Women's Club, the County Republican Club-West Valley, The California State Republican Club and was an active member of the Grand View Baptist Church in Grand Terrace. "There was a time she was so involved in the chamber of commerce that you couldn't be elected to a judge position without having lunch with her first," Banks said. Thelma strived to help her community and make it better for those in it, which was stated in a Grand Terrace City News Group article in 2011, “Thelma always believed in being of service to her community and had remained active in it throughout her lifetime." The funeral services for Thelma Etta Winkler-Beach will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 12 p.m. at the Grand View Baptist Church in Grand Terrace.