Mary Thelma Emerson

• Residence: Afton, , Wyoming - 1910
• Residence: Afton, Lincoln, Wyoming, United States - 1920
• Residence: Riverside, California - 1930
• Residence: Corona, , California - 1935
• Residence: Election District 5, Afton, Lincoln, Wyoming - 1940

Thelma Emerson Dies Following Heart Surgery Funeral services for Thelma Emerson, 68, of Corona, Calif. were held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Corona Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Bp. James Shumway conducting. Mrs Emerson died at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, April 20, following heart surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Interment was in Westminster Memorial Par, Mary Thelma Gardner Emerson was born April 8, 1904 at Afton, Wyo. to Andrew Bruce and Elizabeth Baxter Gardner. She was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1912. Her early schooling was at the Afton Elementary School and at the Star Valley High School, from which she graduated in 1922. She continued her education with a Normal Training Course, which qualified her to teach. She also worked at the local post office where she gained many friends. In 1924, she went to Corona, Calif. for employment. While living at the home of her sister, Muriel Tolman Veach, she met and married Gerald Emerson, April 30. 1927 in Corona. They were blessed with three daughters, Helen Marie, Jeri Lou and Carol Ann, who were the center of their lives and interest. Thelma and Gerald moved to Afton in 1938, where they opened a Mode O Day Dress Shop (now Fashion Shoppe), which they operated successfully for two years, then sold it and returned to Corona, where they conducted the Gerald M. Emerson Life Insurance business. Thelma opened another dress shop at Arlington, Calif. in 1947, under the name of Jeri Ann's after Jerry died in 1962. Thelma then moved to Pomona, Calif., where she became area manager for Buffinn's Department Store. There she made an outstanding record for service and good will in spite of increasing trouble with a heart condition which she lived with in her typical courage and good cheer until 1970 when she retired from the management and customers. After her retirement she spent a great deal of time with her children and families, who eagerly sought her visits. She also engaged in various arts and crafts, in which she excelled and shared generously with friends, family and church. After a lingering battle with increasingly severe heart problems, she entered the Loma Linda University Medical Center for heart surgery, where she died on April 20. Her sparkling personality won the love of all who knew her wherever she went. She had a special gift with people to inspire, uplift, encourage and motivate. Flowers, messages, visits, services and phone calls from many areas indicated the esteem and affection in which she was held. She is survived by three daughters, Mrs Jack (Helen Marie) McCory of Saugus, Calif.; Mrs Morris (Jeri Lou) Nelson of West Virginia; and Mrs Kenneth (Carol Ann) Kammeyer of Corona, and 14 grandchildren Two sisters and four brothers also survive, Mrs Muriel Veach of Corona, and Mrs Olive Thatcher of Sonoma; Roy LaVere, Milford and Ross Gardner, all of Afton, Wyo. Ross Gardner of Afton and former residents, Dee and Lee Gardner, were among the pallbearers. Milford and Alda Gardner, Ross and Marie Gardner went to California to attend the funeral services. Milford gave the obituary. The Gardners visited with members of Thelma's family in Corona, as well as with Muriel and her daughter Darhl. Ross and Marie visited Ross's son and daughter, Lee and Linda. Former valley residents who attended the funeral services were Mrs D.L. (Mary Gardner) Miles, Ernest Gardner and Melitia (Wilkes) Gardner, and Martha (Gardner) Randall.

Emerson, Mary Thelma Gardner ( 20 Apr 1972)Star Valley Independent