Wilma H. Houston

Wilma H. Houston, age 101, of New Philadelphia, went to be with the Lord Monday, January 16, 2017, after a long, full and joyful life.

Born October 18, 1915, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she was a daughter of the late Lewis and Sophia Weaver Walker. She moved with her family at a young age to Tuscarawas County after her father found work there and sent for them. Wilma attended Dover High School, and married Major G. Houston on March 8, 1935. The couple reared two children and shared seventy years of marriage prior to Major's passing on April 15, 2005. During the Second World War, Wilma was employed by Republic Steel in Massillon, traveling there by bus each day. She was also an Avon representative for over fifty years, and received special recognition for her service when she retired.

Wilma was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Dover, where she served as clerk, sang in the choir, was a member of the Missionary Circle, and was a Girl Scout leader. She was also the church's oldest member. Wilma belonged to Naomi Chapter 85 of the Order of the Eastern Star, Uhrichsville, where she served as Secretary. She worked for the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections for many years, and was a member of the Tuscarawas County Democratic Women.

Survivors include her daughter, Jacqueline L. Sherrell of Dover; her grandchildren, Mitzi L. Sherrell of Fayetteville, Georgia, Richard L. Sherrell of Round Hill, Virginia, Roderick L. Sherrell of San Francisco, California, Tammy Houston and George Shawn Houston, both of New Philadelphia; her great-grandchildren, Alicia, Amber, Ashley, Cameo, Cairo and Cayla Sherrell and Michael Houston; her two great-great-grandchildren, Louis James Dill and Stella Houston; her sisters, Evangeline Pryor of New Philadelphia, and Evelyn Mills of Dover; and her many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Major, Wilma was preceded in death by her son and daughter-in-law, George and Naomi Houston; her son-in-law, Robert Sherrell; her grandson, Robert Louis Sherrell; her three sisters; and her six brothers.

A home-going service will be held Saturday, January 21, at 11 a.m. in First Baptist Church, with Rev. Christopher R. Lowery officiating. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. Family and friends are invited to call at the church on Saturday, 9:30 11 a.m. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Wilma, please visit the Obituaries and Flowers link on the Toland-Herzig website.

The family suggests that contributions in Wilma's memory be made to First Baptist Church, 140 Regent St., Dover, Ohio 44622, or, to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.