Thelma Gossett

Services for Thelma Lee Bryant Gossett will be held at the First Baptist Church, 201 St. Clair St. on Thursday, July 26, 2012, at 1 p.m. with Dr. Robert Browning officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 11 a.m. until the service at the church. Burial will be in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville.

She died Monday, July 23, 2012, at Taylor Manor Nursing Home in Versailles.

Born in Shelby County, she grew up in Franklin County. She was an executive secretary to Robert Matthews, Attorney General in the 1960s and later to Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, Scott Reed and Robert Stephens.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for over 35 years, was an interpreter to the deaf, a president of the Womens’ Missionary Union and the first woman deacon in the Franklin Baptist Association.

She was the widow of George W. Gossett, and a daughter of the late J.E. “Tuck” and Clara Watts Bryant. Thelma was preceded in death by a brother, Freeman Bryant and stepson, S. Jack Williams (survived by wife, Lucy).

Survivors include a son, Riggs Williams (Peggy); grandchildren, Phillip Hawkins, Mike Hawkins (Kelley), Allyson Cox Taylor (Greg), Jack Williams, Tim Williams (Christy); great-grandchildren, Chris, Logan, Makayla and Torey Hawkins, Brooklyn Taylor, Rachel, Ethan and Ellen Williams and Paiton and Paige Williams.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Hawkins, Mike Hawkins, Christopher Hawkins, Logan Hawkins, Greg Taylor and Jack Williams.

Memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church, 201 St. Clair St., Frankfort, KY 40601.

Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared via the online guestbook at www.harrodbrothersfuneralhome.com.