Thelma Arlene Wilkerson

Thelma Arlene Moren Wilkerson, lately of Buffalo, Oklahoma, passed peacefully from this life on Friday, January 24, 2025, after a short illness. She ran straight into the arms of Jesus, her Savior and her Lord. Thelma was born in Hulbert, Oklahoma to doting parents Harvey and Agatha (Dot) on September 30, 1936, after one of the hottest summers on record. During her pregnancy with Thelma, Dot spent many hours in an iced-down galvanized tub, thanks to Harvey's devotion to the comfort of his wife and their baby-to-be. In her early childhood, Thelma lived in several communities, as Harvey and Dot relocated to find employment opportunities, especially after the onset of WWII. Most notable among these was the Moren family's time in Kansas City, Missouri, as Harvey and Dot aided the war effort by building engines at the Pratt & Whitney Air Defense Plant. Upon the conclusion of the war, Harvey, Dot, and Thelma settled into a pretty little white bungalow on Lynn Lane in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was this corner of Tulsa where Thelma went on to create some of her favorite memories and live most of her life, eventually buying a plot of land from Harvey and Dot, so she and her husband could build a home next door. Thelma was a brilliant woman who excelled as a student, graduating early from Broken Arrow High School in 1953, at the age of sixteen. Thelma immediately attended an elite secretarial school and, after graduation, began an impressive career. Thelma was an Executive Secretary, becoming the indispensable head of several offices in the fields of petroleum, lumber, and law. Along the way, Thelma made lifelong friends in her various workplaces. Especially close to Thelma were her "MAPCO girls," from Thelma's time at MAPCO Energy; they remained Thelma's regular lunch dates for decades. Thelma also remained close with her high school friends by helping organize "The Fifty-Three Club," a group of Thelma's classmates who met for regular reunions, traveled frequently, and often came together to celebrate marriages and births. Additionally, Thelma contributed time and effort to Broken Arrow's Pioneer Dinner, an annual event for BAHS alumni. It was at those kinds of around-the-table events when Thelma was in her element, always eager to catch up on the lives of others and sharing incredible stories of her own. (Her family's very favorite story was of a young Thelma shouldering her way through a wall of Secret Service agents to enthusiastically shake the hand of Senator John F. Kennedy, during his presidential campaign stop in Tulsa.) While Thelma's career and community involvement were certainly impressive, family was always her main focus. Thelma's proudest moments came in her roles as a daughter, sister, wife, aunt, great-aunt, and cousin. At twelve years old, Thelma received the greatest desire of her heart when Harvey and Dot welcomed a new daughter and Thelma became big sister to Judith Ann. Thelma and Judy became quite the team, frequenting movie theaters, hamburger restaurants, and Tulsa Oilers hockey games. In 1980, Thelma was blessed to meet the love of her life, William Bert Wilkerson, at square dancing lessons. Together, Thelma and Bill built a beautiful life. They continued dancing, and also loved to travel. Among some of their favorite trips were two visits to Hawaii, an Alaskan cruise, and driving their motorhome north in the summer and south in the winter. Thelma and Bill were always available for big, enveloping hugs or to offer a helping hand in times of need. Beyond being so connected to their own immediate families, Thelma and Bill were also instrumental in helping organize large family reunions. Additionally, Thelma helped planned twice-yearly reunion sleepovers for "The Magnificent Seven," a group of seven first cousins who were also lifetime best friends. Making certain these family reunions, both large and small, took place was a natural offshoot of Thelma's interest in recording family histories, either by typing up family stories or taking thousands of photos and videos. She was a passionate genealogist whose collection of family data will be cherished for generations. Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, William Bert Wilkerson, her father, Harvey Levi Moren, her mother, Agatha Magdalene (Hood) Moren, her sister, Judith Ann (Moren) Moore, brother-in-law Earnest Ray Moore. She is survived by niece Angela (Angie) RaeAnn (Moore) Slater, Angie's husband, Don Delaney (JR) Slater, great-nephew Aidan Gabriel Slater, and great-niece Delaney (Laney) Gray Slater. Thelma is also survived by niece Carey Lea (Moore) Beckerdite, Carey's husband, Jason Randall Beckerdite, and great-nieces Katherine (Katie) Grace Beckerdite, and Juilana Faith Beckerdite. Also surviving are step-daughters Susan Elaine Brewer and Linda Kay Smith, along with their children and grandchildren. Additionally, Thelma is survived by a host of adoring cousins, countless friends, and a loving church family. Viewing will be at Moore's Eastlawn Chapel, (1908 S. Memorial Drive in Tulsa, Oklahoma) from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025. Thelma's Celebration of Life service will be held at Lynn Lane Baptist Church on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Family will be available to greet guests prior to the service, from 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Following the Celebration of Life, interment will take place at New Home Cemetery in Peggs, Oklahoma.

Thelma Arlene Wilkerson

September 30, 1936 - January 24, 2025