Obituary of Thelma Flo Heil

Thelma Heil, 87, passed away on Monday, November 19th. She was born on October 26, 1925 in LaFollette, Tennessee to Laura and Dave Davis. After graduating from high school in LaFollette, Thelma attended Belmont College in Nashville, TN, where she received her B.A. in Art. During World War II, she worked at the Oak Ridge Laboratory. She moved to Chicago, IL in the late 1940s and began a career in advertising, working as a commercial artist. She eventually transferred to Houston, Texas where she met Louis Heil. They were married in 1955 and were together until Louis died in 2009. Thelma and Louis raised their children in Memphis, TN. During their time in Memphis, she continued to work in advertising and also worked as a portrait and landscape artist. Being a very compassionate person, she especially enjoyed doing paintings of endangered species and other wildlife. She had an inquisitive mind and took a variety of classes at Memphis State University. Upon retiring, Thelma and Louis moved to Tuscaloosa, AL. While there, Thelma took college classes and also volunteered at the city’s community college teaching art to senior citizens. During retirement, she continued painting and also enjoyed bird watching and gardening. Thelma and Louis moved to Follett, TX in 2005. Thelma made a final move to Middleton, ID after Louis’ passing. Thelma is survived by two brothers: R.L. and Charles Davis and sisters-in-law, Margaret Davis, June Davis and Becky Short. She is also survived by her children and their families: Peny and Vynnie Ward, David and Cheri Heil, and Teresa and John Pedersen. Thelma will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her family would like to give special thanks to the staff at the Cottages of Middleton and Align Hospice for the excellent, loving care they gave to Thelma. A memorial service will be held at the Cottages of Middleton, 706 W Main Street, on Friday, November 23rd at 3:30pm. Remembrances may be left for Thelma’s family at www.AccentFuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian. 888-5833.