This story was first published in 2015. As the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter) focus on retirees this week, we thought it was an appropriate time to reshare Themla’s story.
Embarrassed to even have her picture taken, Thelma Hubbard isn’t one to be in the spotlight. But as of late, she’s been a bit of a celebrity at the Billy Graham Library.
She recently celebrated her 95th birthday, making her the Charlotte, North Carolina ministry’s oldest volunteer. And though you may have to lean in to her hearing aid for a conversation, Thelma is still full of energy and spunk.
“As long as the Lord has me here!” she said about volunteering.
Thelma’s husband, Kent, is just as active. At age 92, he only recently gave up playing saxophone for the church worship team.
Love Story
Square dancing brought Thelma and Kent together 50 years ago.
“I had a wonderful (first) husband, and I can truly say I never, ever wanted to get married again because I thought I’d never find anyone like him.”
But after meeting Kent, Thelma says she fell to her knees in prayer, “Because I cannot pick a husband. God has to do it.”
“Before I said amen, the telephone rang and it was Kent,” she said.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Searching for Something More
After retirement, Thelma was actively involved in Sunday School and other programs, but felt God wanted her to do more.
“For a week or two I kept praying, ‘God, I know you must have something more for me to do. I know I’m not doing what I should be doing,” she recalled.
At the time, her neighbors worked with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
“They came and brought us a brochure about the Library being open, never dreaming we’d volunteer because of our age,” she said. “But as soon as they did it, I said, ‘That’s the answer. God has answered my prayer.’ So we came right away.”
Now, you can find Thelma greeting visitors at the “Just as I am” exhibit. Because of her hearing, she doesn’t get a chance to pray with people as much anymore. Still, she walks up and down the exhibits praying over every bench.
“The building itself has changed somewhat, but I think more than anything I have experienced growth just from being here,” she said. “I’m amazed at people who go through here [and are changed] and how the ministry, the environment itself, impresses people with the love of God.”
Seeing God’s Love, Even in Death
Thelma’s own life is a testament to the beauty of God’s love.
“I can never remember a time in my life that I didn’t talk to Jesus. So I can’t tell you exactly the date Christ came into my life,” she said. “But I can tell you, He’s been with me since I was a child.”
Though her family was poor growing up, “No matter how little we had, we always shared.”
“My mother sewed for people,” she said. “If you had five pounds of potatoes, you gave somebody else two pounds. And God got us through it.”
Thelma’s only son was killed at age 23—a loss that brought her realization of divine love full circle.
“Because my son died, I think every day how God loved me enough that He would let His Son suffer and die,” she said. “I can relate to that, because I say, ‘God, I could not do that. I’m not big enough to do that. I don’t have the kind of love that God has.
“How could you ever let your Son die for people like me? That, to me, is just overwhelming, and you want to drop on your knees and thank God!”
Love for the Unlovely
Thelma was born in Washington, D.C., and lived in the area for 74 years, also attending a Billy Graham Crusade there. She and Kent moved to Charlotte in 1994.
Being one of 10, little ones were always around, which she partially credits for her love for children.
“My heart breaks for little kids who don’t have loving parents or the (necessities of life),” Thelma said. “Being a living witness to children is so important.”
Her burden for the lost is very evident as she talks about family members and others she’s met along the way who don’t know Christ.
“(I want to teach them) that even if the situation is not good, God is there,” she said.
Thelma has story after story of what she calls “loving the unlovely.”
For a decade, she cared for her mother, who battled Alzheimer’s. She remembers Mikey, a blind boy at a mental hospital she visited who would touch her face and hair as she said, “I love you.” Then there’s the handful or so of runaways, drug addicts, and others who were down and out that she and her husband took into their home over the years.
“We had one stay with us off and on for 10 years,” Thelma recalled.
That man, Michael, went on to accept Christ. He’s since passed away. His son just recently got back on his feet after living with the Hubbards twice.
“Another young lady, who has children now, they call us grandma and granddaddy,” she said.
“We’ve tried to just show the love of God to them and love them, because they needed to know that they were somebody and (they were) in need of love.”
Thelma’s Challenge to Us
Thelma’s challenge to others: be understanding.
“You have to understand that people are not in the same circumstances as you. So you can’t always relate to them in your way,” she explained. “(We need to) just think of the other person first.”
And with nearly a century of life experiences behind her, there’s no room left for regrets or fear.
“When I look back and see what God has done and brought me through, there’s nothing ahead of me that I have to fear. I have no anxiety whatsoever,” she said confidently.
“I just hope that ministers to somebody.”
