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Wilma Kathleen (Belcher) Thorne went home to be with the Lord, her late husband Troy E. Thorne, and her many loved ones on Monday, January 22, 2024, at the age of 97. She passed away peacefully at the home they built and shared for 70 years in Friendly, Maryland. She was the youngest of 9 children born to William Burl Belcher and Minnie Etta (Duncan) Belcher on September 1, 1926, in Kegley, West Virginia. Wilma fell in love with Troy, who she affectionately called T.Y., when her sister brought him to West Virginia to meet a friend at the family farm. She said it was love at first sight for them both (sadly for her sister). After courting long distance, they married on December 3, 1942, where they lived at his family’s farm for 70 years together. They were blessed with a large family which includes 7 children, 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. In addition to the responsibilities of farm life and raising her own children, she was an active member of her community and church. To name a few things: she took care of sick family members, helped raise family and friend’s children, was a Sunday School teacher for many years, volunteered at nursing homes, and was a member of the church’s United Methodist Woman (nominated as Women of the Year in 1984). She was also a member of the women’s hospitality committee (in charge of funeral dinners), and helped at the church’s bazaars, rummage sales, and other events. She was always there to lend a hand, a shoulder, or words of kindness. One of things she loved most in life (other than the Lord, her husband, family, and her flowers) was traveling; especially with Cheerful’s Tours. She collected knick-knacks from all over the world. These trinkets could be found in every room of her house. She loved telling her travel stories to all the littles in the family (especially about her trip to the Promise Land). Her other love was music, from singing the cows to/from the barn as a small girl, to filling the house with country and bluegrass throughout the house. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her husband Troy, daughter Linda, and sons-in-law Bill and Jeff. She is survived and will be missed by son Sam (Caren) Thorne, son Donnie (Jerri) Thorne, daughter Mary Russel, son-in-law Gene Libby, son Dicky Thorne, daughter Brenda Veazey, and daughter Angie (Tommy) Shane; grandmother of Jeff Perlin, Bonnie (Dale) Carpenter, Eddie (Kim) Libby, Sandy (Art) Morelli, Debbie Husfelt, Glenn Libby, Susie (Kevin) Delancey, Crissy Thorne, Mary Ellen Russel, Terri (John) Douglass, Kacie Sturgill, Andy Thorne, Andrew Veazey, Leslie Thorne, Jason Auth Jr., DeAnna (Robin) LeCates, Jake Veazey and Jessie Bodecker. She is also survived by 23 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to Wilma's Life Celebration on Friday, February 16 from 11 a.m. until the start of the service at 12 noon at Providence-Fort Washington United Methodist Church, 10610 Old Fort Rd., Fort Washington, MD 20744. Interment to follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens Cemetery 3221 Mattawoman Beantown Rd., Waldorf, MD 20601. Memorial contributions may be made to Providence-Fort Washington United Methodist Church, 10610 Old Fort Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744.

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Wilma Kathleen Thorne

September 1, 1926 - January 22, 2024