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Inez Jenkins Thurston
Inez Jenkins Thurston
Obituary
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Inez Thurston Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sandy Hovis
March 1, 2009
To the family my deepest sympathy.
She was a mentor, a mother figure, a friend and a great woman. Her ability to share and love will be missed by all that knew her. Her memory will always be a part of me, I loved her.
kathy secrist
February 28, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers to all . We will always remember your Mother and Dad from the first time we met them. You Mother had made a postive impact on a lot of lives,so her presence will be felt for years to come.
We send our love.
Kathy(Nichols)and Mike Secrist, Becky Kalinski and Vivian Nichols
Rosie Parker
February 27, 2009
To the Family of Inez Thurston,
I was just told that my dearest friend has passed away. I want to do something meaningful to help me and to let the family and friends know what a special person she truly was. But then all of you know that, I know. I just had to add to all the sentiments you'll be receiving.
I am so sorry we can't be with all of you at this final time, but please know that we're thinking of you.
I met this very fine lady, Mrs. Inez Thurston, Approximately 36 years ago when my oldest daughter Vicki joined Sing Out South. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, we all gathered for Mrs. T to lead a caravan of noisy teenagers to a Sing Out Show and perform for a Republican Committee Dinner. That was the first of many trips and WE as a family were hooked, even their daddy.
Rosie and the Parker girls traveled and played and prayed with Inez Thurston and the SO gang for many years, to Romania, Russia and the White House. You name it and we were there. No place or nothing was too major for Sing Out South. She showed us all that there was more to life that just going to school, belonging to Girl Scouts and taking dance lessons.
We want to take this time to thank you 3 boys and your families for allowing us all to know and have a special place in this ladies life. We are ALL better people because she was a part of our lives. We will miss you Inez, but be sure we will meet you soon.
Rosie Parker and the Parker girls
Myra Anne Pegram Fitzgerald
February 25, 2009
Dear Rudy, Thelma & Family,
Inez will be truly missed, I often think of her and my time with her in Sing Out South. Those were some great times. My prayer and thoughts are with you. She probably is forming a choir up there in heaven already and my Mom will probably be one of them. Take care and in time things will get better. Sincerely,
Myra Anne Pegram Fitzgerald
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Vicki (Valentine) Olsen
February 25, 2009
I was sorry to read of Mrs. Thurston's passing. I send along my sympathy to the family. What a great lady. I was in Sing-Out in l968-69 and it was a wonderful experience. Loved seeing the pic in the paper. Have great memories of riding that bus!
Kitty Rountrey Snow
February 25, 2009
Inez was, as Bobby Clark said yesterday, fearless, and because she was, we were as well. We sang "What Color is God's Skin?" in a building where Klan members were meeting and they thought they KNEW what color His skin was. Well, they were wrong. Inez changed the world by telling everyone His skin was universal and that He loved us all. I've written more about our precious Inez and would love to share with any of the Sing Out gang. Give me a call or email me. Her message is as relevant today as in 1967 and it's her legacy that we spread it.
Kelli (Evitts) Swinney
February 24, 2009
To Inez's family,
Our prayers are with you all. Inez
was truly a gift from God. She was
such a great blessing to all who knew and loved her. She will always have a very special place in my heart.
I would like to thank her family
for sharing her with us "Sing Out
South" people. I was involved with
Sing Out from 1975 - 1983 and
then again in 1991-1992. Some of my most wonderful memories as a teenager and young adult were with Inez and Sing Out. It was a
blessing to have known her.
Naketa Funderburk
February 24, 2009
To the family of Mrs. Thurston,
My condolences Goes out to you. Inez was like a grandmother to me. I Naketa Funderburk was in sing-out-south in 97-98. I remember Inez pushing us to sell donuts in snow up to or knees. She worked hard for me to go on the trip to Romania to open up the Holicost. I remember her incouraging words which helped me be the woman I am toay. She was a wonderful, loving woman who showed love to every one who crossed her path. I love you and thank you for everything you done for me. I know you can hear me because your with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Your now my angel watching over me. You are very well missed.
yours truly,
Naketa Funderburk and Family
Wilnitka Morrison
February 24, 2009
Mrs. Thurston will be sorely missed, she was a true lover of all people, and that love in turned followed her. I will never forget the many outings especially Romaina.. And all the love and teachings she gave..And my favorite memory, her tap dancing solo to Daisy... My condolences to the family, God has truly got another Angel..
Gwen Gardner
February 24, 2009
Thurston Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of loss. We will miss Inez, but she is having a blast seeing all the ole' friends and family that have gone on before her. I have great memories of her on a Work & Witness trip many years ago..We had so much fun doing God's work in the Dominican Republic with Southside Church of the Nazarene. God Bless you all.
Steve & Cathy Hertel
February 24, 2009
To the Thurston Family,
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. I have many fond memories of the time spent with your Mom during my Sing Out South days. I have shared these memories with my own children.
Lori Guthrie
February 24, 2009
I so enjoyed when Inez spoke at church of her travels and I remember as a young girl loving the lavish costumes she would sometimes wear! And as Tom Meadows so nicely put - not a hair out of place - I know Heavens choir is much richer today with the voice of Inez!
Carmen Bell
February 24, 2009
Our condolences to the Thurston family. We were members of the Sing Out South in it's early stages, 1966-1968 as members of the St. John's Baptist Church gospel choir, under the guidance of Mrs. Mary Henderson. In those days, some of our venues were skeptical about our mission or purpose, however, when we burst onto the stage with electrifying song and dance, we captured the hearts of many. That energy and faith, named Inez Thurston, was the catalyst that ignited a movement in Richmond that could not be stopped! Her ability to persuade folks to give was uncanny. One time in particular, as we traveled to a show, penniless, Mrs. Thurston disappeared into a restaurant and persuaded the owner to donate free lunches for the entire cast! Mrs. Thurston and the Sing Out South explosion has had a profound influence on our lives that we shall always cherish. She was really special. Thank you and rest in peace Mrs. T.!
Carmen Hamilton Bell
Shari Monroe Johnson
Stephanie Smith
Jim Moore
February 24, 2009
To the Family and Friends of Inez:
I was deeply saddened by the news of Inez's passing. I will always cherish the memories of the time that I spent in Sing Out in the 70's and 80's. Inez was a wonderful inspiration and has had a profound influence in my life. She was truly blessed, and loved by all. I can't help but think that she's already forming a cast of singers in heaven.
Theresa Dunson
February 24, 2009
To the Family:
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Thurston. I was apart of Sing Out South in the early 70's and had a great time. I can still see Mrs. Thurston sitting down front, holding those cards, with the biggest smile on her face. Mrs. Thurston made everyone feel so good -- she will be missed. I will dig out my Up With People album and listen in her memory.
Linda (Hartz) Cosier
February 23, 2009
The world is a better place for having Inez Thurston in it!!! She certainly was God's helper! I was in Sing Out South in the 60's and we had a great time! It was a wonderful experience growing up in Sing Out during my teens. Thank you Inez for giving all of us the experience of knowing that people of all races and religions can work together to make the world better for everyone!
kathryn davis
February 23, 2009
Inez was a very special person. My son(Dean Jones) and I went to Russia and Poland w/SOS in "79. He stays in touch w/other Sing Outs to this day. They get together once a year. She made a big impact on our lives.
Thomas Meadows
February 23, 2009
To the Thurston Family,
I never met a happier, more joyful or funnier Christian than Inez. We had some wonderful times on the Mission field in the Domincan Republic. Inez was all about other people and that love ministered to many hurting souls. Our loss is heaven's gain. Sing out Inez and keep your hair in place. I'll see you up yonder.
Pastor Jeremiah
Helen Hess
February 23, 2009
Inez was a great lady! I was blessed to have been her friend during her days at Southside Nazarene Church.
Daphne Chandler-Longenecker
February 22, 2009
I, too, was in Sing Out South in the 70's and Inez opened her heart and home to us with a love I'll never forget. One year we went to St Louis in a winebago during a snow storm with thunder and lightening..never saw it before and not since then. I love you Inez! God speed my dear lady!
Robin King
February 22, 2009
Steve & I send our thoughts and prayers to all of Inez's family and friends. We are so grateful to have been a part of Inez's Sing Out South family in the early 70's. Thanks to her we met each other,have a wonderful daughter&are still happily together after 34 years of marriage not to mention the precious friendships we still have today with some of our cast mates.Thanks so much for sharing her with all of us.
Robin(Davis) & Steve King
Irene Landen Stager
February 22, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go to Mrs. Thurston's family. I was in Sing Out Sing in the 70's and enjoyed being apart of such a wonderful organization. She will be missed by many.
Stephen Hydrick
February 22, 2009
Dear Thurston Family, Please accept our sincere condolences from my wife Marie and I. Sing Out South is one of my fondest memories and one I will cherish all of my life. As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Dianne Mumpower
February 22, 2009
I was so blessed to have made Inez's aquaintance through my husband and mother-in-law. She welcomed me into her home many times and I was always impressed with her energy and love for her fellow man. I will always remember her as a woman to look up to an aspire to be like. What a pleasure it will be to see her in heaven one day.
A warning to heavens other angels...watch out, if anyone can take over, she will!
We love you Inez, and we will miss you, but we send you on to heaven, knowing we have reliquinshed a prize that was only ours temporarily.
The Mumpowers (Dianne, Craig, and Burleane)
Cindy Coghill
February 22, 2009
Mildred and Family;
I am so sorry to hear about Inez. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Cecilia Satterwhite
February 22, 2009
Inez and I went many miles together on our many Friendship Force trips and the many times she had us in her home. She would fry us pork chops and Ralph would fix his famous white corn. We worked many hours on things for FF. I will truly keep all of my memories of them forever. I know she is with the Lord, she was such a wonderful Christian lady.
Cecilia Satterwhite
Shirley (Parnell) Jones
February 22, 2009
Dear Rudy, Ralph & family: Your mom touched so many lives and helped lots of us "Yuccas" from Sing Out grow in our relationship with God. I am personally the recipient of the love that she bestowed on others. She had such a profound impact on my life ~ one that has helped shape me into the woman of God that I am today. She will always have a special place in my heart and I know that she has already heart our Savior say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Please know that I will lift you all up to the Throne during these days of adjustment without her. Love to you all! Shirley (Parnell) Jones
Lenny Leigh
February 22, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Bernice and George Lemon
February 22, 2009
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.,Dear Inez.
This from your prayer partners in Friendship Force/ MRA/Sing Out Roanoke Vally and our special mission to Romania and China.We cherish your loyal courageous Christian Friendship. BandGLemon
The Staff of Morrissett Funeral Home
February 22, 2009
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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