Thelma Ann Potton

Thelma Ann Potton (nee Webster), aged 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 23, 2024, at Kingsley Senior Living in Canton, MI. She was born on January 5, 1936, in Wausaukee, WI, to the late Clarence and Ruth (nee Faust) Webster. She was a 1954 graduate of Clinton High School where she was a cheerleader and involved in chorus, yearbook staff, and the pep club. She also met and fell in love with William (Bill) Potton. After high school, she attended and graduated from business school and worked in Rockford, IL for two years as a secretary before her marriage. Thelma and Bill were married on April 26, 1958 in Clinton, WI and moved to Michigan while Bill completed his final two years in the Air Force at Selfridge Air Base. Thelma and Bill moved to Chicago in 1960 for two years and then moved to Detroit due to Bill’s job as an aircraft mechanic with American Airlines. They raised three sons and two daughters at their home in Westland. After raising her family, she worked as a travel agent in the mid-1980s before retiring.

Thelma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. She attended First Baptist Church of Westland, where she worshipped and served for 60 years, including 53 years as the church organist. She enjoyed sewing, cross stitching and other crafts and was an excellent cook and baker. She loved to care for the flowers and a large garden in her yard. She enjoyed watching the Detroit sports teams, while never giving up her allegiance to the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, the late William J. Potton, infant son David and brother Tom Webster. She is survived by her children, Alan (Sharon) Potton of Cypress, TX, Bryan (Nancy) Potton of Troy, Rebecca (David) Stark of Brunswick, OH, Mary (Steve) Hatcher of Canton, and Karl (Dawn) Potton of Westland; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; her brother Carl (Barbara) Webster of Silvis, IL, sister Margaret London (Charles, deceased) of Clinton, WI, sister Laura (Dale) Davis of Vadnas Heights, MN, sister-in-law Ruth Clark (Dan) of Neillsville, WI; and nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to the R.G. and G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 31551 Ford Road, Garden City, MI, for visitation from 9:30-11 AM and a funeral service at 11 AM on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Interment will be at Cadillac Memorial Gardens West, 34224 Ford Road, Westland, MI following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Michigan Chapter. Use the following link to make a memorial donation: https://www.alz.org/gmc

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