Suffolk – Thelma Oakes McMurtrey, 86, widow of Ralph Willis McMurtrey, died March 27, 2009 at her residence. She was born in Chatham, Va, a daughter of the late Edward and Nannie McKinney Oakes. She was predeceased by a son, Richard Wade "Ricky" McMurtrey. Mrs. McMurtrey was a devoted homemaker and former seamstress with Dan River Mills, Suffolk Tent & Awning, and Portsmouth Tent & Awning. She was a member of the Holland Women's Club and a former Girl Scout leader. She was a member of Holland Baptist Church, the Dorcas Sunday School Class, Women's Missionary Union, and The Grand Age Club.
Survivors include two daughters, Sandra McMurtrey and her husband, George Goetzke, of Arlington, and Patsy DeLucia of Windsor; a daughter-in –law, Brenda C. Kennedy and husband, Billy; a granddaughter, Tracy L. McMurtrey; and a grandson, Andy DeLucia; three sisters, Garnette, Belle, and Clara Mae; and two brothers, Howard and Ralph.
The funeral service will be conducted at 2 pm Tuesday at Holland Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Bunn officiating. Interment will follow at Southampton Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8:30 pm Monday at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, and suggests memorials be made to Holland Baptist Church, 6519 Holland Road, Suffolk, Va. 23437 or Heartland Hospice, 150 Burnett's Way, Suffolk, Va. 23434. www.wrightfuneralhome.org