Wilma Thompson

Wilma Jean (Harris) Thompson, 87 of Decatur passed away into the loving arms of her savior Jesus Christ on Monday, December 2, 2024.

A memorial service to celebrate Wilma’s life will be held 3:00 pm, Sunday, December 22, 2024, at First Baptist Church (1320 West Arbor Dr, Decatur, Illinois 62526) with visitation one hour before the service, also at the church. Pastor Chris Chambers is officiating. Burial will be on Monday, December 23, 2024, at 11:00 am at Patoka Cemetery in Patoka, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial funds be directed to DAR or Heart & Soul Choir (Decatur Special Needs Choir). Tanzyus Logan Funeral Service and Care is in charge of the arrangements.

Wilma was born in March of 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, daughter of Joe and Elizabeth Harris. She was raised in Fairfield, Illinois along with her beloved siblings Joe Frank, Barbara, Paulette, and David. Wilma married Ross Thompson in August of 1956, in Fairfield, Il. They were married 68 years and raised three children together. Sons Jim and John (Lisa) Thompson and daughter Susan (Pat) Hickey. Their family grew to include seven grandchildren: Joe (Lori) Thompson, Jim (Lana) Thompson, Kyle (Melissa) Logue, John (Chelsea) Thompson, Dale (Bri) Thompson, Quinn (Janette) Hickey and Cayla (Sam) Zitnyar. As well as seven great grandchildren: Jathan, Joel, and Elizabeth Thompson, Emily and Audrey Logue, Clarke Hickey and Wesley Zitnyar.

Wilma was her class valedictorian at Fairfield High School Class of 1955. Wilma achieved a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees in education, and a master’s degree in music from SIU in Edwardsville. She taught for many years in the Decatur Public School system where she fostered students’ appreciation of music. Wilma also served as a substitute teacher with a heart for teaching her students with special needs at Sunnyside School and then went on to serve as a home-based early interventionist with the HeadStart program.

She was an active member of First Baptist Church, along with her sister-in-law Janis Long. Wilma loved the fellowship, music and volunteering as a Sunday school teacher. Every year Wilma read the bible in it’s entirely, studying a different translation each year. She enjoyed playing the piano over the years as a hobby and for various youth or church events. Wilma spent many enjoyable years singing as part of the Greater Decatur Chorale. She was a proud member of Daughter’s of the American Revolution where she grew a fascination with researching her family history and spent years collecting a detailed family genealogy. Wilma will be remembered by her family for her love of taking pictures: she could almost always be seen carrying a camera, asking the family to pose for just one more snapshot at all family events.

Please sign the family guestbook at www.tanzyusloganmemorialpages.com