THELMA FAIRLYN STEARNS

ANNA, Ill. -- Thelma Fairlyn Stearns, 82, of Anna died Friday, April, 10, 1998, at City Care Center in Anna.

She was born Oct. 25, 1905, at Herrin, daughter of Hiriam Eli and Prudence Wills Fowler.

She married Leonard T. Stearns of Marion on Sept. 1, 1923, at Herrin. He died in 1989.

For more than 30 years, they were co-owners of Union County Motor Co. and Union County Implement Co. with her brother and his wife, Paul and Catherine Fowler.

She was director of Shawnee Development Corp. for many years.

She started many Head Start and senior citizen programs in Southern Illinois.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Anna. She had been a member of the Union County Hospital Auxiliary and the Monday Bridge Club.

Survivors include three nieces, Paula Lence of Anna, Sharon Armstrong of Carbondale and Carolyn Dippy of Marion; and a nephew, Ronald Bernhardt of Marion.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother and sister.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Monday and until time of service Tuesday at Crain Funeral Home in Anna.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

The Rev. Verlee Eaker will officiate, with burial in the Anna Cemetery.