Obituary for Miriam T. Selden (Thurman)
Miriam “Mimi” Thurman Selden died in Salem Oregon on May 10, 2023 at the age of 91. Mimi had a short battle with Leukemia at the end of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Charles Wallace Selden III, in 2014 and leaves behind two daughters Melynda (Lyn) Selden Kohl, and Susan Selden Pinnock (Fred), two grandchildren Eric Thomas Pinnock (Hannah), and Madilyn Elizabeth Alfadli (Tarik), and two great grandchildren. She also leaves behind many many friends.
Mimi had a very full life and although we are so sad to see her leave the earth, we have great confidence she has joined Charlie and many others before her in heaven. Mimi was born in Cedartown, Georgia to older parents almost 20 years after her sisters. She was a much-loved surprise and had fond memories of her early childhood. She lost her own mother at age 12 and was very close to her father. She graduated from high school early and set off to college to do great things. She attended college in Georgia, went on to Boston for graduate school and then returned to Georgia with her Masters in Divinity as one of the first female University Chaplains. She loved counseling others and sharing God’s love with all in her joyful and patient way.
Mimi moved to Florida to be a Chaplain at the University of Florida where she met Charlie and Married at age 31, in 1962. They had daughter Lyn while in Florida and were sent to Japan by the Air Force where they spent 3 years and had daughter Susan. While in Japan, Mimi taught English and learned the Japanese style of flower arranging. They survived a major earthquake in 1968. Then the whole family returned to Washington, Georgia where Mimi taught preschool, and substitute taught in that small Southern town. The family moved on to a suburb of Atlanta called Doraville in 1970. In 1974 Charlie’s job moved them to Eugene, Oregon and then to Florence (on the coast) in 1978. Everywhere they went Mimi took on a role in churches, schools and volunteer organizations counseling individuals, sharing her faith, and supporting those who were hurting or in need. Mimi and Charlie stayed in Florence for almost 30 years before moving to Salem to be closer to their daughters and medical care as they began to age. Mimi and Charlie again were immersed in church life, praying faithfully for others and counseling where needed. Mimi made so many friends in the 16 years she was in the Salem area, stories of her faithfulness and her love are shared by all who knew her.
A celebration of life for Mimi Selden will be Saturday, June 3rd at 2 pm in the Auditorium of Capital Manor in West Salem. Contributions in Mimi’s memory may be made to Union Gospel Mission (777 Commercial St NE, Salem, 97301) or Marion Polk Food Share (1660 Salem Industrial Dr NE, Salem, 97301).
Mimi had a very full life and although we are so sad to see her leave the earth, we have great confidence she has joined Charlie and many others before her in heaven. Mimi was born in Cedartown, Georgia to older parents almost 20 years after her sisters. She was a much-loved surprise and had fond memories of her early childhood. She lost her own mother at age 12 and was very close to her father. She graduated from high school early and set off to college to do great things. She attended college in Georgia, went on to Boston for graduate school and then returned to Georgia with her Masters in Divinity as one of the first female University Chaplains. She loved counseling others and sharing God’s love with all in her joyful and patient way.
Mimi moved to Florida to be a Chaplain at the University of Florida where she met Charlie and Married at age 31, in 1962. They had daughter Lyn while in Florida and were sent to Japan by the Air Force where they spent 3 years and had daughter Susan. While in Japan, Mimi taught English and learned the Japanese style of flower arranging. They survived a major earthquake in 1968. Then the whole family returned to Washington, Georgia where Mimi taught preschool, and substitute taught in that small Southern town. The family moved on to a suburb of Atlanta called Doraville in 1970. In 1974 Charlie’s job moved them to Eugene, Oregon and then to Florence (on the coast) in 1978. Everywhere they went Mimi took on a role in churches, schools and volunteer organizations counseling individuals, sharing her faith, and supporting those who were hurting or in need. Mimi and Charlie stayed in Florence for almost 30 years before moving to Salem to be closer to their daughters and medical care as they began to age. Mimi and Charlie again were immersed in church life, praying faithfully for others and counseling where needed. Mimi made so many friends in the 16 years she was in the Salem area, stories of her faithfulness and her love are shared by all who knew her.
A celebration of life for Mimi Selden will be Saturday, June 3rd at 2 pm in the Auditorium of Capital Manor in West Salem. Contributions in Mimi’s memory may be made to Union Gospel Mission (777 Commercial St NE, Salem, 97301) or Marion Polk Food Share (1660 Salem Industrial Dr NE, Salem, 97301).