Erma Tubbs

Erma Lorene (Smith) Tubbs was born on April 15, 1924 in her grandmother’s home in Brewster, Kansas. She was the oldest of three children born to Newton Martin and Alice Grace (Parker) Smith. Erma passed away on April 22, 2022 at the age of 98.

Erma, fondly called Jean by her father, lived the first 18 years of her life on a farm located 10 miles south of Brewster that was originally homesteaded by her great-great-grandmother. Erma’s days on the farm involved carrying water to the house, cleaning, and helping her mother bake loaves of bread and cinnamon rolls. From an early age, she enjoyed taking care of the home. Erma attended all 12 years of schooling at the Brownville School located eight miles from the family farm. She rode the bus every day to school. In school, Erma enjoyed basketball, softball, tennis, and cheerleading. She was also a member of 4-H, took piano lessons, and sang in the Glee Club.

Upon graduation from high school in 1942, Erma left the family farm and moved to Halstead, KS to attend the Halstead School of Nursing. The school was a Catholic school ran by the Nuns. The nurses in training worked 8 hours a day and adhered to strict rules of conduct. During this time on a trip home from Halstead, Erma met the love of her life George Tubbs Jr. Dating for the couple consisted of a lot of dancing as the Smith family loved music and dancing. On March 5, 1944, Erma married George. With World War II raging, George was drafted, served as a mechanic working on the planes, and became stationed in Roswell, NM. Being married, Erma was no longer allowed to continue school and relocated to NM to support George and her country.

After the war, the couple settled into married life living several years in Levant and then later in Atwood. Finally, in 1965 they moved to Colby, a place that would be their forever home. The couple had two sons James Dale and Michael George. Erma loved being a wife and a mother. Anyone who knew her well knew that her house was a source of pride. Erma also made sure that clothes were clean and pressed, healthy meals were prepared, and that George and the boys were well cared for everyday. Erma was an excellent no nonsense decision maker and listener. She played a vital behind the scenes part in many of the day-to-day business operations of the family. Erma’s work and her pride were in caring for her home and ensuring the success of the family.

Erma served as a Pink Lady at the hospital for several years. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, an organization dedicated to charity, truth and loving-kindness. She loved classical music, Frank Sinatra, and old movies. In addition, Erma enjoyed a good ride around town or a trip to the farm to check up on the place. She loved the annual trip to South Texas she took with George each year in the RV. Many memories were made over the years on their adventures. Finally, Erma was a woman firm in her faith. One of her favorite quotes was, “Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed.”

Erma was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Marilyn Selby, and her brother James Smith.

She is survived by her sons and their wives: James (Jim) and Kathleen Tubbs and Michael (Mike) and Pat Tubbs all of Colby, four grandchildren: Sherrie (Brent) Wiedeman of Colby, George (Lindsey) Tubbs of Colby, Michael Tubbs of San Francisco, CA and Madison Tubbs of Lawrence, KS, and four great grandchildren: Bryant, Brady, Landon and Carson all of Colby.

There will be a come and go celebration of life on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Baalmann Mortuary. Graveside services will be at Beulah Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas County Community Foundation sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit: www.baalmannmortuary.com.