Mary "Thelma" Black

Mary “Thelma” Black, age 95, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Arcadia Care on the Hill in Springfield.

Thelma was born on October 25, 1930, in her family’s farmhouse in Marion County, Kentucky, outside Lebanon to parents James Gordon “Jocko” Copley and Mary Hattie Celeste Beaven. She is preceded in death by eight siblings and survived by two sisters Sadie Barnett and Christine Charles.

She married James Lee Wright on January 4, 1947, in Lebanon, Kentucky. He preceded her in death on November 26, 1972. With James, she had seven children. Terry Wright, Danny Wright and Brenda Thompson preceded Thelma in death. Her children Judy Vandiver, Linda Keeley, David Wright and James Wright survive her. She also had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She married Robert G. Black on June 28, 1975, in Williamsville. He preceded her in death on January 18, 1992.

While living in Williamsville, Thelma attended church and sang in the choirs at both Williamsville United Methodist and Williamsville Christian Church. While living in Springfield, she attended Kumler Methodist Church and near the end of her life was pastored by Lakeside Church of Christ.

Early in life, Thelma worked with her family on tobacco farms in Kentucky. For many years, she worked as a caregiver at St. John’s Hospital and later at Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois. She worked as a caregiver into her 80s.

Thelma enjoyed reading mysteries, quilting and volunteering with the homeless community in Springfield, offering those in need a “grandma’s smile” and hot cup of coffee in her later years.

Graveside services for Thelma will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Walnut Hill Cemetery at 3:00 PM near Williamsville. Rev. Michael Hall will be officiating.

Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.