Wilma Stearns

Wilma Love Stearns, 72, of Mansfield, died early Friday morning, April 23, 2004, at her home. She was born July 15, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, living in the Mansfield area for several years. She was a graduate of Central High School in Kansas City and attended Penn Valley Community College for two years. She continued to actively pursue higher education all her life. The majority of Wilma's career was spent in sales and catering in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area. While living in the Mansfield area, Wilma was employed as a claims adjuster with Shelby Mutual Insurance Company. She attended First Congregational Church, and was a Stephen Minister. She volunteered for Hospice as well as serving as a court appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children. She also gave her time to the Spofford Home in Kansas City. Wilma was a certified Nursing Assistant and taught clowning at Abraxas Foundation for troubled youth.

She is survived by a daughter, Kelly Stearns of Mansfield; son, Bill Stearns and his wife, Rosemary of Lexington; grandchildren and their spouses, Jessalynn and her husband, Scott Howard, Mike and Kelly Jo Stearns, Bill and Carri Stearns, Angie and her husband Scott Meyers, and Alex and Charles; great-grandchildren, Kathryn and Isabelle Howard, Eli and Ben Meyers, Kaylie, Kassidy, Kaleb, and Chase Stearns; sister, Doris Brown of Newark, New Jersey; former daughter-in-law, Sally Stearns; former husband and his wife, Calvin and Wanda Stearns; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Jessie Curvan, daughter, Kathryn Stearns, special friend, Finton Jones, and sister, Olive Brown.

Memorial services will be held Monday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel at First Congregational Church, officiated by Rev. David Root. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Wilma's name to First Congregational Church to aid children in the community. Wappner Funeral Directors assisted the family with arrangements.