Thelma Harper

Thelma Elizabeth Harper, born February 15, 1933 to Wilburn E. and Pearl M. (Cowan) Rutherford in Stilwell, OK and passed from this life on August 24,2023 in Stilwell, OK.

Funeral Service will be 11AM, Monday, August 28, 2023 at Hart Funeral Home in Stilwell, burial to follow in Stilwell City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August, 27, 2023 from 4 PM until 6 PM at the funeral home.

She grew up in and around Stilwell and married Raymond Denton in 1948. To this union were born Jim,  Jan, Debbbie, and Diane. She worked 22 years for the Stilwell Foods and then went to Alaska where she lived for 12 years and was employed at the Anchorage Airport. After returning to Stilwell, she was then employed by the Stilwell School at the Grade School Cafeteria retiring early due to health issues.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents four brothers, Walter, Wallace, Paul and Wilburn E., Jr. and two sisters,Clealus Holt and Charlotte Eubanks.

She is survived by her children: Jim (Nancy) Denton of Tahlequah, Jan (Tim) Grooms of Stilwell and Debbie O'Neal and companion, Roger Adair of Stilwell and Diane (Jeff) Griffin of Carrollton, TX. Also, grandchildren including: Kim (Steve) Hamric of Farmington, AR, Steve Grooms, Chrystal O'Neal of Stilwell, Joshua (Beth) Denton, Hulbert, OK, Nick O'Neal, and Samantha O'Neal and companion, Chase Reeves of Carrollton; along with seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.