Thelma L. Morris

Thelma L. Morris was born December 26, 1927 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Clyde and Leta Blackwell. Thelma was raised and received her education in the Pawnee area.

Thelma was married to Gaines Smith, Sr. on March 18, 1946 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. The couple had two children, Mary and Gaines, Jr. Gaines preceded her in death on December 25, 1963.

Thelma was an accomplished seamstress, making alterations and was especially gifted at making clothing and costumes. She was married to Homer Robert Morris on February 4, 1971 in Knoxville, Arkansas. Homer preceded her in death on October 14, 1992.

Thelma resided in Sand Springs, Oklahoma for many years, where she owned and operated Pretty Pets until she retired in 1997. Shortly after her retirement, Thelma moved to Niles, Michigan to be near her daughter and family. She continued to work as a seamstress being employed at Greta's Bridal Shoppe in South Bend until recently.

Thelma passed away on Friday, February 1, 2002 at the Lakeland Medical Center in Niles, Michigan at the age of seventy-four years, one month and five days. In addition to her husbands, Thelma was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Harold, Ray, Ralph and Melvin Blackwell.

She is survived by a daughter and her husband, Mary and Ron Cox of Niles, Michigan; a son and his wife, Gaines Smith, Jr. and Diana; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; three sisters, Naomi Wickel of Dilton, Oklahoma, Mildred Paige of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Leta Griffith of Stillwater; and two brothers, Leonard Blackwell of Stroud, Oklahoma and Clyde Blackwell of Silver City, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, February 6, 2002 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Maramec, Oklahoma under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Thelma Lee Morris at www.chapman-black.com.''