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Cecil Allen Thurman, 86, of the Prairie Grove Community, passed away Monday, March 22, in the home of his daughter. Born on August 28, 1923, in the same community, Cecil was the son of Charlie Allen Thurman and Elma Pearl Wells Thurman.
He served in the “clean-up operation” of World War II in the Pacific and was discharged as a corporal. In 1948, he moved to Houston, TX, and worked at the Houston Lighting and Power Company. He began as a lineman's helper, then a journeyman lineman, and finally a line foreman. After retirement in 1986, he fulfilled his dream of returning to the Prairie Grove Community.
Thurman was a member of the Prairie Grove Baptist Church and I. B. E. W. Local 66 Union in Pasadena, TX.. He was educated in the local Prairie Grove rural school and took mechanics classes after going to Texas. Cecil loved hunting and had become a skilled marksman in the Army. Collecting old cars and refurbishing them was another avid hobby of his.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Minnie Lee Wolfe Thurman, also from the Prairie Grove Community and a sister, Nell Thurman of the Prairie Grove Community. He is survived by his wife Audrey Evelyn Coker Thurman of Greenville, SC; one daughter, Elizabeth Pearl (Beth) Thurman, of Monticello; one stepdaughter, Donnis Traylor of Greenville, SC; two stepsons: David Pierce of Greenville, SC, and Butch Pierce of Houston, TX. He also had 8 step grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was also survived by two brothers: Winfred (Windy) Thurman of Booneville, Ms, and Billy Joe Thurman of Hot Springs, Village; two sisters: Mary Thurman and Ouida Bowden both of the Prairie Grove Community. He had a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
He served in the “clean-up operation” of World War II in the Pacific and was discharged as a corporal. In 1948, he moved to Houston, TX, and worked at the Houston Lighting and Power Company. He began as a lineman's helper, then a journeyman lineman, and finally a line foreman. After retirement in 1986, he fulfilled his dream of returning to the Prairie Grove Community.
Thurman was a member of the Prairie Grove Baptist Church and I. B. E. W. Local 66 Union in Pasadena, TX.. He was educated in the local Prairie Grove rural school and took mechanics classes after going to Texas. Cecil loved hunting and had become a skilled marksman in the Army. Collecting old cars and refurbishing them was another avid hobby of his.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Minnie Lee Wolfe Thurman, also from the Prairie Grove Community and a sister, Nell Thurman of the Prairie Grove Community. He is survived by his wife Audrey Evelyn Coker Thurman of Greenville, SC; one daughter, Elizabeth Pearl (Beth) Thurman, of Monticello; one stepdaughter, Donnis Traylor of Greenville, SC; two stepsons: David Pierce of Greenville, SC, and Butch Pierce of Houston, TX. He also had 8 step grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was also survived by two brothers: Winfred (Windy) Thurman of Booneville, Ms, and Billy Joe Thurman of Hot Springs, Village; two sisters: Mary Thurman and Ouida Bowden both of the Prairie Grove Community. He had a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.