Thelma Jane Combs Newberry

Thelma Jane Combs Newberry went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 28, 2015 at 3:30 pm with her family at her side.

Thelma was a long-time member of First Baptist Church and had served on numerous committees and had taught some craft classes in earlier years, as well as assisting with Vacation Bible School. She was one of the founding members the "New Ladies" Sunday School Class.

The youngest daughter of Luther and Mila Combs, Thelma gave expression to her many talents early in life. She won several elementary and high school art awards and when she graduated from Murray State University in 1952, she was declared the "Outstanding Art graduate of All Time" at Murray. While in school at Murray, Thelma was president of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, performed in Campus Lights and she was regularly on the Dean's List. After graduation, Thelma earned her Masters Degree in fine Arts from Indiana University. While there, she was the youngest student to study silver smithing with the renowned Danish silversmith, Georg Jensen. After completing her work at Indiana University, Thelma was hired as an Art Supervisor for the Sterling Illinois Public School System for one year. In 1956, she married Dennis Lee Newberry II and soon thereafter became the greatest mother in the world. While being a full-time mom and homemaker, Thelma still had time to participate in many activities. She was a fully certified Instructor of Ikenobo, of the Ikibana School of Japanese flower arranging. She taught not only in Owensboro, but in several neighboring states as well. She and Jane Hartsough published a major book, "The Joy of Ikenobo" which was widely distributed from California to the East Coast. Thelma raised the initial funds for the creation and maintenance of the Japanese garden at the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden in Owensboro. She also served as an adviser and consultant for the garden. She was also a former member of the Owensboro Woman's Club and was also a Kentucky Colonel.

Thelma appreciated all the arts. She served as a director and president of the Owensboro Symphony Auxiliary. They, during her tenure, established the early fund raising dinners that are now quite well-known. She was also an accomplished horsewoman and rode until illness caused her to observe from the sidelines. She passed her love of horses and all animals on to her children.

When the early Owensboro Charity Balls were planned, Thelma designed and created most of the theme decorations, some of which were sold and those funds added to the charity total. Mayor Waitman Taylor appointed her to the first Owensboro Art Commission, and her earlier tenure as president of the Owensboro Art Guild was well-known.

She also decorated homes for local contractors, often times choosing colors, materials and lighting arrangements for model homes in the area. She was a long-time member of the Evansville Lapidary Society and was very skilled in jewelry design and creation, often times creating a mounting, cutting the stones required and gifting friends and family with her creations. She had at her home a complete lapidary shop, as well as a potter's studio, complete with potter's wheel and kiln. Her needlework was exquisite and she was a long-time member of the Evansville Embroidery guild. She also modeled the latest fashions for various clothing shops in the Owensboro-Evansville area.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Mila Combs, and her older sister Gladys Irene Combs. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Dennis Lee Newberry II, her three children, her son, Dr. Dennis Lee (Carol)Newberry III, Susan Winfield (Robert) Morris and Aimee Kathleen Newberry, a sister Violet (Charles) Jackson, a sister-in-law, Norma Newberry and a niece, Sherry (Whitford) Couk,all of Owensboro. A special thanks to Amber, Kathy, Janice, and Kathy, her caretakers. Your assistance was immeasurable.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Glenn Funeral Home, from 2pm-7pm. Services will be held at First Baptist Church, Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 10:00 am. Visitation one hour prior to funeral services at the Church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Owensboro Humane Society, P.O. Box 1075, 3101 W. Second Street, Owensboro, 42302 or the First Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, 230 J.R. Miller Boulevard, Owensboro, KY 42301.