Thelma Fern Campbell Fowler was born on January 14, 1949, to Marshall Monroe Campbell and Rozelma Fern Woolf Campbell in Sulphur, Okla. She graduated from Sulphur High School in 1967. She was married to Douglas Jack McQueen in the early 70’s. She married the love of her life, Russell Coleman Fowler, on September 5, 1985, and they resided in Arizona. His untimely death from a brain cancer was a great sadness.
Thelma was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth, and a sister, Betty. Also a beloved cousin Eileen of Texas.
Thelma was a member of the Stroud First United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir for many years, attended Sunday night Bible studies, and worshipped on Sunday mornings as long as she was able. She had a host of friends from church who were so good to her including: Edna, Sondra, Jo, Linda, Carol, Maxine, Chris, Terry and Pastor Gerard. She considered Dr. Parkhurst of OKC and Dr. Markert of Stroud to be her friends. She was also very fond of her high school classmates and friends from Sulphur, including Billie and Linda.
Gracious thanks to the workers of Stroud Health Care Center where Thelma resided for 8 years, particularly Debbie G and Connie K. Also thanks to Beacon Ridge in Sapulpa where Thelma spent her final days and to Cura Hospice. A very very special thank you to Cassie at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City who always greeted Thelma with warmth and love before each surgery! You were special in her life.
Thelma had lifelong cerebral palsy, which became progressively unmanageable. She had multiple medical complications and the last two years of her life were marked with persistent pain and her health slowly declined. When COVID put an end to personal visits at the nursing facilities, she suffered further isolation and depression. After numerous hospitalizations in the final two months of her life, she decided to forego further medical care and went to Her Lord on December 31, 2020.
Thelma was a creative spirit. She loved to color pictures and give them away, each one taking a huge amount of time and effort because of continual shaking. These pictures will be cherished. She loved to play gin rummy with her dear friend, Miriam, who preceded her to heaven. She was a storyteller, a delightfully funny person who was certainly feisty and sometimes looking to cause trouble. She had a compassionate heart. Those who knew her well, loved her well. She will be remembered for her twinkling eyes! She enjoyed going out to dinner while she could still get around, and particularly loved: Mexican food with a margarita in Stroud; almond chicken salad at Rock Cafe; all things vegetarian at the Red Cup in Oklahoma City; steaks at Territory Cellar while it was still open; and pizza!
At her request Thelma’s ashes will be interred at Oak Lawn Cemetery next to her beloved Mother. Later in the spring, when weather permits, an outdoor memorial service will be held graveside. Donations in her memory may be made to Stroud First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Second Ave, Stroud OK 74079.