Longtime Resident Thelma Reed Dies

By: Susan Beauchamp and Darlene Jones

There are many people in Southeast Indianapolis Neighborhoods who have lived here for a long time, but Thelma Reed might hold the record. In 1918, Frank and Clara Kenyon moved into their house on lot 41 on St. Paul Street along with their three year old daughter, Thelma, and her 7 siblings. Thelma still lived in the same house until her death on February 26, 2009 at almost 94 years of age. Thelma was one of the residents featured in the documentary film, Revival Road, produced by the Southeast Learning Partnership, which was shown at the last Southeast Indianapolis Neighborhood Gathering in September 2008.

Thelma recalled a glass factory at the south end of St. Paul St. and remembered riding the railed trolley on Prospect St. going to Fountain Square and then downtown. Her mother bought live chickens in Fountain Square to prepare for Sunday dinner.

Thelma went to School #20 on Spruce Street and to School #39 on State Street for the eighth grade. Thelma said, ”Every home on Saint Paul Street was nice, yards were kept neat and neighbors were friendly and helped each other. No one locked their doors back then.” In the '30s Thelma would go to Fountain Square at The Shadow Box on weekends for dancing, Jitter-Bug, of course. Though raised here during the depression years Thelma said, “Mom always kept her family fed and dressed. She was a good cook and homemaker. She made a little bit of money go a long way.”

Thelma remembered an A & P Grocery on Prospect between Keystone and St. Peter and a Drug Store next it. Much later, in the '50s, the standard Grocery moved on the corner of Prospect and Churchman where Family Dollar is now. A summertime favorite was the ice cream store across the street from this grocery. The Avalon Theater was located on Prospect between Churchman and Harlan. Thelma recalls spending many weekends there when admission was only 15 cents. The black and white movies featuring westerns starring Tom Mix, and many of the classics of today were great entertainment for neighborhood children. In the late 1930s Sunday mornings were spent at Calvary Tabernacle Church on Fletcher Ave. The family would catch a bus and get off at Virginia Ave. and Cedar. Ave. where the Interstate is today.

Thelma had continued as a faithful member of Calvary Tabernacle. She had been a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and when she was in her 80s assisted in nursing home ministry. Her funeral service was held there on March 2.

Darlene Jones, daughter of Thelma Reed, still resides at the old homestead on
St. Paul Street. She is part of a revitalization of the area with her neighbors as part of ICAN, Indianapolis Churchman Ave. Neighbors.

The Southeast Learning Partnership, SELP would like to celebrate other long time residents, please contact 610-7425 or selp_chair@yahoo.com for more information. The SELP meets monthly to document and collect data for all the neighborhoods. Everyone who lives or works in the area is welcome to participate. Come to meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month at 901 Shelby St., 2nd floor classroom. Dinner and childcare are provided.