Thelma Wood Riley

b. 5 November 1899, d. 28 January 1981
  • Thelma Wood Riley was born on 5 November 1899 in Llano County, Texas.
  • Thomas Oliver Riley and Evelyn Annie Wood appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Llano County, Texas. Other members of the household included Thelma Wood Riley. Also in the household were Thomas Riley's children Lucy (20), Allen (16), Inez (14), Jeff (11) and Frank (10).
  • Thomas Oliver Riley and Evelyn Annie Wood appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Llano, Llano County, Texas, at Main Street. Other members of the household included Thelma Wood Riley, Viva Ellis Riley and Vivian Nanny Riley.
  • Thomas Oliver Riley and Evelyn Annie Wood appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at 370 Schley Avenue. Other members of the household included Thelma Wood Riley, Viva Ellis Riley and Vivian Nanny Riley.
  • She married Elbert Mervin Stevens on 31 October 1928.
  • Elbert Mervin Stevens and Thelma Wood Riley appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Also in the household was Elbert's brother Murry, age 19.
  • The following appeared on 18 July 1937 in The San Antonio Light: "Accent room personality with venetian blinds," is the advice given by Mrs. E. W. Riley and Mrs. E. M. Stevens, operators of the local agency for National venetian blinds, located at 107 East Mulberry street.
         Through many windows everywhere you see National venetian blinds adding new beauty to both the exterior and interior of the home. Venetian blinds are a rare form of decoration that have been revised and proven a most decorative way to control light and ventilation, and may be correctly used with the earliest period furnishings or modernistic motif, according to Mrs. Riley.
         National blinds are made by one of the world's largest exclusive venetian blind manufacturers, with a reputation for quality, lasting satisfaction and reasonable price. Correct installation, with or without channel guides, insures perfect operation, and the local studio personally supervises and tguarantees all installations. An antique and decorating shop located at 1109 Main avenue, is operated by Miss Bessie Wood in connection with the venetian blind studio.
  • The following appeared on 11 April 1950 in The San Antonio Light: Misses Ellerbe Wood and Mary Jane Lightbound are arriving Saturday by plane from New York. They will spend fiesta with Miss Wood's sisters, Miss Bessie Wood and Mrs. E. W. Riley, and her niece, Mrs. E. M. Stevens. This will be Miss Lightbound's first trip to Texas.
  • The following appeared on 7 May 1950 in The San Antonio Light: Miss Ellerbe Wood, New York city, aunt of Mrs. E. M. Stevens, and sister of Mrs. Evalyn Riley and Miss Bessie Wood, with Miss Mary Jane Lightbown, also of New York, have been house guests of Mrs. Riley and Miss Wood.
         Miss E. Wood, for a period of years, has been largely interested in our international trade relations and was an observer at the UN meeting in Paris last year. She had an opportunity to go into Germany and see some of the activities of the American army of occupation.
         Miss Lightbown is assistant editor of the Architect Forum. She is visiting Texas for the first time and is particularly interested in building projects in this part of the state. She is leaving for a few days in Mexico before returning to New York.
  • She officially witnessed the death of Elizabeth Augusta Wood on 3 January 1959 at 107 East Mulberry Avenue in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas; at the home of her sister, Evelyn Wood Riley.
  • The following appeared on 6 January 1959 in the San Antonio Express: Miss Bessie Wood, of 124 E. French Place, passed on Saturday at 107 E. Mulberry Ave., the home of her sister. Survivors: brother Campbell Wood of Los Angeles, CA; sisters Mrs. E. W. Riley of San Antonio, Miss Ellerbe Wood and Miss Annie Laurie Wood, both of New York City; nieces Mrs. Vivian Riley and Mrs. E. M. Stevens, both of San Antonio. Graveside service was held Monday afternoon at 3:30 at Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements by Porter Loring.
  • She officially witnessed the death of Evelyn Annie Wood on 26 April 1960 at 107 East Mulberry Avenue in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas; at her residence.
  • The following appeared on 28 April 1960 in the San Antonio Express: Mrs Evelyn Wood Riley, of 107 E. Mulberry Ave., died Tuesday (26 Apr 1960) at her home. She was a member of Travis Park Methodist Church. Survivors are: Daughters Miss Vivian Riley, Mrs. E. M. Stevens, both of San Antonio; brother Campbell Wood, Los Angeles, CA; sisters Miss Ellerbe Wood, Miss Annie Laurie Wood, both of New York City. Service Thursday at 3:30 at the Porter Loring Chapel with Rev. Grover I. Chapman officiating. Honorary Pallbearers: Edwin Word, Henry Word, Parvin Spencer, R. C. Delevan, George Delevan, A. V. Bowers, Ted Morehouse, Dr. A. E. Boysen, James Caskey, Robert Barbee, Rolla Steen, Eric Heydenrich. Interment in Sunset Memorial Park under the direction of Porter Loring.
  • She was mentioned in the obituary of Vivian Nanny Riley that appeared on 11 February 1978 in the San Antonio Express: Miss Vivian N. Riley, age 76, of 107 E. Mulberry Ave., died Wednesday, February 8, 1978. She was a member of Travis Park United Methodist Church. Survivors: Sister, Mrs. E. M. (Thelma) Stevens, San Antonio. Service Friday at 1 o'clock in the Colonial Chapel of the Porter Loring Mortuary, Dr. Daniel E. Solomon officiating. Honorary pallbearers: Dr. Leon Kopecky, Reynolds Faulk, Earl Schiller, Milton Schiller, W. R. Stevens, Julius Posey, Robert Hollingsworth, Cecil Slater, CVARL Carl V.?) Gildemeister, Erich Heydenreich, Sr., Dr. A. C. Nagle, D. F. Saunders, Arthur Stewart, Leland Cude, Jack Lewis, Sr., Jack Lewis, Jr., Harold Erickson, R. O. Kipp, George Delavan, Jr., R. E. Night, Willie Van Stokke, Ray Flanders, Stanley Brehmer, Stanley Southworth, O. V. Bennett, Andy Beaver, Arthur Joseph, Duane Moore, T. H. Bates. Interment in Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements with Porter Loring.
  • Thelma Wood Riley became a widow at the 25 January 1980 death of her husband Elbert Mervin Stevens.
  • She was mentioned in the obituary of Elbert Mervin Stevens that appeared on 27 January 1980 in the San Antonio Express: Mr. E. M. (Steve) Stevens, age 77, resident of The St. Anthony Hotel, died Friday, January 25, 1980. Mr Stevens was the founder of the Great Western Loan and Trust Company in 1925, which was sold to Commercial Credit Company in 1977. Mr. Stevens served as Chairman of the Board of the regional division of Commercial Credit West until his death. He was Past President of the San Antonio Breakfast Club, San Antonio Junior Chamber of Commerce, Alamo Motor Club and the Texas Finance Conference. In the past he had served on the board of Boy's Clubs of San Antonio, Southwest Research Institute, Keystone School, the W.M.C.A., St. Hubertus Society, Stockholders of America, Inc., San Antonio Zoological Society, Northern Hills Bank of San Antonio and the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Stevens was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner, a member of the Exotic Wildlife Assn., San Antonio Council of Presidents, Ducks Unlimited, National Assn. of Property Owners and the St. Anthony Club. Awards received include the Anglers Club award as the Outdoorsman of the Year and the Exchange Club's Golden Deeds Award. On October 31, 1978, Steve and Thelma Stevens celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Jointly they had made sizeable contributions to Trinity University, Baylor University, St. Marys University, San Antonio Academy, Keystone School and the San Antonio Zoo. Recently contributions were made to help establish Television broadcast facilities for Travis Park United Methodist Church. Survivors: Wife, Mrs. Thelma Riley Stevens, brothers, Mike Stevens, Victoria, Texas, G. C. Stevens; sisters, Mrs Anna Fay Bode, both of Harper, TX, Mrs. Mamie Del Nay, Brownwood, TX; uncle George Delavan, Sr; aunt, Mrs Fay Walker, both of San Antonio; foster sons, Carl, Bobby, August and David Mietzen, 9 nieces and nephews. Service Monday at 1 o'clock in the Georgian Chapel of the Porter Loring Mortuary, Dr. Dan E. Solomon officiating. Honorary pallbearers Albert Meckel, Jack Lewis, Gene Lindquist, Fred Shields, O. V. Bennett, Bob Hollingsworth, Dolph Briscoe (a governor of Texas), John Connally (the governor of Texas shot next to President Kennedy), Lawrence Welk, William Turley, Bill Rowe, Reynolds Faulk, W. R. Stevens, Cecil Slater, Carl Gildmeister, Dabney Saunders, Erich Heydenreich, Jr., R. O. Kipp, Dr. Leon Kopecky, Dr. W. G. Johanson, Martin? Goland, Dr. Duncan Wimpress. Those who desire may send memorial gifts to the charity of their choice. Interment in Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements with Porter Loring.
  • At the time of her death Thelma Wood Riley was living in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at 300 East Travis Street.
  • Thelma Wood Riley died on 28 January 1981 at age 81 in Bexar County, Texas.
  • She was interred at Sunset Memorial Park, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
  • The following appeared on 29 January 1981 in the San Antonio Express: Mrs. Thelma R. Stevens, age 81, of 300 E. Travis Street, died Wednesday, January 28, 1981. She was a member of Travis Park Methodist Church, born in Llano, Texas, attended Brackenridge High School and married Elbert Mervin Stevens, October 31, 1928. She was the first elected San Antonio Council woman of San Antonio from 1953-55. She was President of Delphian council 1934-35, also member Past Presidents Round Table of Delphian Council, 1938-39, President of Salvation Maternity Home and Hospital, 1949-50, Marmosa Garden Club, 1941-42, The Women's Club of San Antonio, 1958-59, Lockhill P.T.A., 1940, Pieriedes Culture Club, 1939-40, Blue Texas Star Club, 1959-60, San Antonio Club Women of Today, 1960, and San Antonio Gardenia and Music Club, 1960. She was a member of Council of International Relationships, Fiesta Assn., President Council of San Antonio, San Antonio Beautification Society, Associate Member of San Antonio Conservation Society, Member of Ladies' Auxillary of San Antonio Symphony Society, Texas International Gun Club, Bright Shawl, San Antonio Breakfast Club for Women, and San Antonio Music Club. She has made sizeable contributions to Trinity University, St. Marys University, Boys Club, Building Fund, Keystone School, Southwest Research and donated property on North Main Street to San Antonio Academy. Service Friday (30 January 1981) afternoon at 3 o'clock in Gregorian Chapel of the Porter Loring Mortuary, Rev. Dan E. Solomon officiating. Honorary Pallbearers: Dr. Leon Kopecky, Mr. Bill Rowe, Mr. O. V. Bennett, Mr. Robert Hollingsworth, Mr. Robert Wright, Mr. Clem Jack, Mr. Bob Abrahm, Mr. Carl Gildemeister, Mr. William R. Stevens, Mr. Dabney Saunders, Mr. William B. Turley, Mr. Stanley Brenmer, Mr. Ray Flanders, Mr. Jack Lewis, Mr. Andy Beaver, and Mr. Eldon Winship. Internment in Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements with Porter Loring.
  • Last Edited: 18 Jul 2012

Family: Elbert Mervin Stevens b. 14 April 1902, d. 25 January 1980