Dr. Elaine Varley Thellman

Elaine Varley Thellman, 65, of Greenwood, formerly of Churchville, New York, passed away Saturday, November 21, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She was born December 2, 1943 and was a member of the First Methodist Church of Greenwood, AR. Dr. Thellman graduated from Houghton College in New York as a registered nurse, received her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Columbia University in New York, her Masters degree from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio and earned her Doctorate from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Thellman was active in the fiber arts including embroidery, weaving, spinning and scrapbooking, a former race official for the United States Cycling Federation and President of the Fort Smith AKC Kennel Club. In addition she showed, bred and raised championship beagles. Dr. Thellman worked with the Visiting Nurse Association serving the Harlem area in New York. She then was Director of Nursing at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1980 she became Vice President for nursing at Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith for 11 years. Dr. Thellman finished her career as an instructer of nursing at Carl Albert State College in Poteau Oklahoma.Viewing will be on Tuesday, November 24 from 1 PM to 9:00 PM. at the McConnell Funeral Home. The family will be present from 6 PM to 8 PM. The service will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, November 25, at McConnell Funeral Home.Dr. Thellman is survived by her husband, John; daughter Corinne Thellman; son Dr. Shane Thellman, Daughter-in-law Dr. Nikki Thellman; one grandchild, Clayton Alexander Thellman; two sisters, Deanna Pattison and Wilna Varley; one brother-in-law Douglas Pattison; one brother Darryll Varley and one sister-in-law Janet Varley; one niece Renee Abbott and two nephews Lloyd Varley and Todd Varley.Memorial contributions may be made to the Lymphoma Foundation or the American Cancer Society