Thelma Marie Willis

Thelma Marie Willis of Stroud, was born in Paragould, Arkansas on February 23, 1915 and departed this life in Stroud, Oklahoma on October 16, 2017 at the age of 102. Thelma was the daughter of Fred W. and Zula Pearl (Barnett) Herring. The family moved to St. Charles, MO where Thelma attended school. After graduating high school, she entered the Missouri Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated in 1936 as a Registered Nurse. She was an employee of the St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles for 10 years. In 1966 Thelma married Earnest Newnam. Earnest was a native of Oklahoma and wished to return to Davenport. After his death in 1970 she resumed her nursing career as an employee of Stroud General Hospital from which she retired in 1982 at the age of 67. Thelma married Harvey Willis December 4, 1980. He preceded her in death April 1984. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one son, James Frank DeTienne and four brothers. Survivors include, one son, John Penney of Reno, NV, two daughters, Gail Peterson & husband Charles of Kendrick, Carolyn Manno of Fresno, CA. ten grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends. Memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Davenport on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Mike Mitchell officiating. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Stroud. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Davenport Senior Center.