Wilma Catherine (Douglas) Sumner, 96, joined her heavenly father on Saturday, April 3rd, 2021. Born on January 10th, 1925 in Bentonville, Arkansas to Elmer Orville Douglas and Huey Katherine (Cox) Douglas, Wilma was raised in nearby Gravette. In school, she excelled academically, was captain of the basketball team, and maintained a perfect attendance record for all 12 years without a single tardy. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class, with the Associated Press reporting that she had set a "scholastic record for Benton County", achieving the "highest record ever made at Gravette High School."

She enrolled in the University of Arkansas, where she majored in Journalism. She was involved in numerous academic honor societies, service organizations, and became one of the first women to serve as editor of the University's newspaper, the Arkansas Traveler. She graduated with honors in 1946, and moved to Blytheville, Arkansas where she began her career at the Blytheville Courier News.

While visiting her alma mater, she was introduced to E. O. "Mickey" Sumner, who had returned to Arkansas to complete his studies after serving in WWII. Upon graduation, he was recalled to active duty and stationed at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California.

After months of correspondence, Wilma found herself with a one-way ticket to California. She soon joined E.O., and they were married on May 1, 1951 in Hayward, California. After the birth of their first daughter, the new family moved to Tulsa, where they resided.

Wilma worked for nonprofits such as the U.S. Junior Chamber and the Tulsa-based Christian Crusade before retiring from Oklahoma Natural Gas. She volunteered for the Hearing Auxiliary, served as a dedicated Sunday School teacher, and was an active member of her church. She was a prolific writer of heartfelt letters, humorous short stories, and never missed a crossword puzzle or a cryptoquote. She was a loyal friend to many including her bridge club of over 50 years, her exercise class, and her First Baptist family. She was known not only for her intelligence, wit, and spirited determination; but also her steadfast faith, endless generosity, and dedicated service to those around her.

Wilma is preceded in death by her parents; E.O., her husband of 63 years; and her sisters Iris Perry and Polly Goodwin.

She is survived by her sister Ada Mae Barnett, of Tulsa; three daughters and their spouses: Suzanne and Tom Mitchell of Fulshear, TX; Merribeth and Luis Valdez of Wake Forest, NC; and Jan and Stan Minor of Tulsa, OK. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, their spouses, and seven great-grandchildren, respectively: Bethany (Mitchell) Madrid, husband Gabriel, and sons Jordan and Harper of Katy, TX; Victoria (Mitchell) Becker, husband Keith, children Titus, Eli, and Annabelle of Cedar Park, TX; Landon Mitchell of Fulshear, TX; Adria (Valdez) McGlamery, husband Daniel, and children Hayes and Ella Katherine of Raleigh, NC; Alyssa Valdez of Charlotte, NC; Clark Minor of New York, NY; and Mary Katherine (Minor) Ranchhod, husband Darshan of Oklahoma City, OK.

Services for Wilma will be Friday, April 9th at 2pm located at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, followed by burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to one of Wilma's favorite charities Day Spring Villa, in Sand Springs, OK.

The funeral service will be live streamed via a link that will be available just prior to the service time on Wilma's tribute wall .


She is clothed with strength - God's strength
Wilma Sumner was a force to be reckoned with
A passion to be the best made her so
A strong-willed, determined child raised in the Great Depression
Who became a valedictorian - both High School and College
The Editor of the University of Arkansas Traveler Newspaper in 1945-1946
A strong woman who married a veteran of two wars
A strong woman who, against all odds, survived a near fatal car accident and felt the power of a praying church and a healing God. Following a 6 month hospital stay, she overcame an extreme brain trauma, amnesia, a tracheostomy, and a crushed hip.
A woman who worked full time, taught Sunday School, never missed having a meal on the table, or taking neighborhood children to church.
A strong woman, who raised three strong women who have inherited her zeal, but will never surpass her strength.
Our mom leaves an enormous vacuum on earth.
She ushered into heaven a spirit of intensity.
Her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren will rise up and call her "blessed".

Moore's Southlawn Chapel 918-663-2233