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Obituary for Thelma Mae Wilbanks
Thelma Mae Wilbanks of Brighton died at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ypsilanti, early Tuesday morning, November 24, 2009 after a brief illness. She was 73 years old. Born on December 10, 1935 in Wooten, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Sanders and Sarah (Cornett) Thomas. She came to Detroit as a young girl and graduated from Redford High School where she met and fell in love with James W. Wilbanks, Jr. who went off to serve in Korean War while she stayed home and worked for Michigan Bell. After his return, the couple married on May 8th, 1956 and settled in Livonia where he was a real estate broker and she took care of their two sons. After his retirement the couple moved to Brighton in 1997. They enjoyed winters in St. Petersburg, Florida and watching their family grow into another generation. She especially enjoyed cooking family dinners and holidays with her grandchildren. After more than 46 years of marriage, her husband preceded her in death in February 2003. Thelma Wilbanks is survived by her sons, James Lee (Francine) Wilbanks of Northville and Michael Alan (Laura) Wilbanks of Brighton, six loving grandchildren, a sister, Emma Ann Temples and brothers, Fred and Robert Thomas, all of Florida, as well as several nieces and nephews and dear friends who join with her family in mourning her death and giving thanks to God for her life among them.
Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 600 E. Main Street in Brighton on Friday from 2-9 PM. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 AM at the funeral home, Pastor Al Kasten of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church will officiate. Following cremation, her ashes will be buried with her husband at Fairview Cemetery in Brighton. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
