Thelma was born in Houston, MO to Edgar and Verdie Smith. She graduated from Houston High School in 1953. Thelma worked as a cafeteria cashier at Ervin Junior High School for years before going to work at Research Hospital in the Neo-Natal Department where she received an “Employee of the Year” award. Thelma retired from Research Hospital after 20 years. She loved working with children.
She married her husband, Vernon on March 14, 1953. Thelma and Vernon were married for 68 years before Vernon passed away on December 11, 2021. Thelma is survived by three children, Jane Reed, Janet Sims (Steve), and Jerry Burch. She has four grandchildren, Casie Howard, Jenna Howard, Justin Burch and Jeff Simms. Thelma was blessed to have 12 great grandchildren.
Thelma was a devout Christian. She started every day reading her bible. She also loved to cook, and her meals will be dearly missed. Thelma Fern Burch was a beautiful person inside and out. People fell in love with her everywhere she went.
Contributions in Thelma's memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, https://www.stjudes.org.