Thelma was born on April 17, 1924, in Agra, Oklahoma. Her parents were Fred and Renda (Dennis) Stephens. She married Archie L. King of Drumright, Oklahoma, on March 25, 1944, in Drumright. They had one daughter, Shirley (King) Deaton, now a librarian at Cushing Middle School, and son-in-law, Steve Deaton, teacher at Cushing High School.

Thelma received her elementary and junior high education in Cushing and was a graduate of Cushing High School in 1942. They were in Astoria, Oregon for 1 ½ years during World War II. Archie worked for Service Pipe Line Company (now BP-Amoco) after the war. They lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from 1946-1951; Topeka, Kansas, in 1951; Ringling, Oklahoma, from 1952-1954; Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, from 1954 to 1982; and moved to Cushing after they retired in 1982. She was a retired court clerk deputy for Garvin County.

Traveling with their fifth wheel and bass boat and fishing at Lake Eufaula and Lake Tenkiller was what Thelma and Archie loved doing most in their free time. She also loved being with her grandchildren—Chris Deaton (CHS graduate of ’84) and Trey Deaton (CHS graduate of ’90). She also had 3 great-grandchildren, Garrett and Carly Deaton and Tiffany Staley.

Thelma fought a long, hard battle with a brain tumor for three years, passing away on March 19, 2000. Archie still lives in their home, here in Cushing.

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