Thelma Snyder Stevens McPherson
Thelma Snyder Stevens McPherson, the widow of John J. Stevens and James B. McPherson, died of infirmities of age at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011.
She was born at Fraser to Henry C. and Ella Smith Snyder. The family moved to Fords Creek, Orofino and then to Pierce, where she went to grade school and high school.
She attended Lewiston Normal School (now Lewis-Clark State College) and the University of Idaho at Moscow, and graduated from Idaho State College at Pocatello.
Thelma taught school for many years at Bliss, Idaho, Boise, Pierce and Kamiah, and in Girdwood, Alaska.
In 1963, she was awarded the first certificate of appreciation in recognition of 13 years of devoted service to the public school children of Idaho. She continued to teach until 1980.
She lived most of her life at Pierce and Kamiah. She moved to Myrtle in May 1993.
Thelma enjoyed bowling, gardening and the outdoors.
She is survived by two daughters of Cavendish and Myrtle; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard W. and Leo B. Snyder; and two sisters, Ruby Halliday and Opal Walsvig.
A viewing will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. today at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Pierce Cemetery.
The Lewiston Tribune, October 16, 2011, p. 7C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock