Thelma Grace Pierson, age 95, of Langley, and formerly of Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, Calif., entered into rest on Friday, July 17, 2010, at Home Place Special Care Center of Oak Harbor.

Mrs. Pierson was born in Broken Bow, Neb. on Feb. 20, 1915, to William and Grace (Hitt) Kesel. She lived in Nebraska until age 11, and then moved with her family to Costa Mesa, Calif.

Thelma attended Costa Mesa schools, and graduated from Newport Harbor High School. She married Morris Reid Pierson on Feb. 26, 1933, in Costa Mesa. Thelma was a member of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa. She moved to Whidbey Island in 2000, and attended South Whidbey Assembly of God and later the Christian Missionary Alliance Church of Langley.

While in Orange County, Thelma owned and operated a beauty salon from her home for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed music and was a member of a band made up of members of her neighborhood.

Thelma is survived by her daughter, Dawn Guild (William) of Little Rock, Calif.; her son, Morris W. Pierson (Joan) of Fredericksburg, Texas; 10 grandchildren: Deborah Tompkins (Patric) of Langley; Pamela Kletke of Santa Ana, Calif.; Kurt Muniz of Pearblossom, Calif.; Melanie Bernhard (Bret) of Las Vegas, Nev.; Anita Rodecap and Rodney Pierson (Wahida), both of Huntington Beach, Calif.; Julie Clendenen of Dana Point, Calif.; Greg Pierson (Berbice) of Costa Mesa, Calif.; and Glen Pierson (Marissa) of Eugene, Ore.; 30 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Merlin Kesel of Salton Sea, Calif.; also, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband Morris on June 6, 1979; by two sisters, Bernice and Wilma; and by a brother, Edgar.

A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Westminster, Calif. Memorials are suggested to the church of choice, or to Hospice of the Northwest, 819 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon, WA 98274.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com.