Edith Thelma Houston , 102, a fourth generation and lifelong resident of Centralia, Missouri passed away Wednesday, October 11, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 PM Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Fenton Funeral Chapel in Centralia.

A private burial will take place at a later date.

She was born January 7, 1915 in Centralia, Missouri, the only child of the late James Silas Roberts and Lucy Belle (Purdy) Roberts.

She met her husband, Hubert Arthur "Art" Houston, when he came to Centralia to work for A. B. Chance Company. They were married on July 28, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri and celebrated 54 years of marriage before Art's death on October 7, 1988.

Thelma will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Gayle Rhea and husband Burt of Olathe, Kansas and Deanna Richman and husband Lynn of Centralia, Missouri; four grandchildren: Chris Rhea and wife Lisa of Leawood, Kansas, Todd Rhea and wife Marlo of Timnath, Colorado, Brett Richman and fiance, Megan Britz of Overland Park, Kansas and Samantha Romine and husband Max of Centralia, Missouri; five great-grandchildren: Patrick Rhea, Ally Rhea, Maile Rhea, Taylor Rhea and Baby Romine.

Thelma was a member of First Christian Church  in Centralia, Missouri where she took pride in being the oldest member. She was a 1933 graduate of Centralia High School where she also took pride in being the shortest member of the high school basketball team.

Thelma was a consummate hostess, entertaining  A. B. Chance Company customers and sales teams with Art in their home. Their MU football weekends when A.B. Chance hosted utility companies from the Big 8 Conference were legendary. Thelma was a homemaker and also worked part-time at Margaret's Dress Shop  and later Rosewood Florist.

From 1970 to 1977, Thelma was the volunteer

director of the Centralia Welfare Department. She worked closely with local organizations, the school district, and the City of Centralia to identify and provide food, clothing, help with utility bills and channeled referrals to county agencies to give families

additional help as needed. She also volunteered at Chance Elementary as a teacher's aide.

Thelma had amazing skill sets that did not  include singing but did include knitting, crocheting, making quilts for her family members and cooking, especially the grandchildren's favorite: the best chocolate chip cookies ever. She loved to play bridge and belonged to two bridge clubs where she made  lifelong friends.

Thelma had the power and the will (and a stubborn streak) to reinvent herself when difficult situations arose. After the Centralia Fires destroyed the family home, her strength helped the family look on the positive side and move on. When she felt she could not take care of herself, she made the  decision to go to the Stuart House Nursing Home where she lived for 9 years and made many new friends. When technology took over the world, she embraced the iPad.

Thelma also loved the Centralia Panthers.  One of her proudest moments came last week when she was selected to be the Grand Marshall for the Homecoming Parade. She wanted everyone to know how much that meant to her and how sorry she was she could not participate.

Thelma's feisty and comedic spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Christian Church of Centralia in care of Fenton Funeral Chapel, 104 S. Collier, Centralia, MO 65240.