Dr. Thurman Clemons

STATESBORO, Ga. - Dr. Thurman Clemons, M.D., age 76, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at the East Georgia Regional Medical Center after an extended illness. The native of Cataula, Georgia, was educated in the public school system of Harris County. He was valedictorian of Spencer High School in Columbus, Ga. He was also a 1959 honor graduate of Tuskegee Institute, with a Bachelor's of Science, majoring in Chemistry, with a minor in Mathematics. Dr. Clemons served his country in the United States Army and continued his education by graduating from Meharry Medical College in 1966.
Dr. Clemons was the second African American doctor to serve the residents of Bulloch and neighboring counties. Dr. Clemons started his medical career in Statesboro as the medical director of the Georgia Grace Nursing Home. He was the first African American physician to serve on staff at the Bulloch Memorial Hospital. Dr. Clemons was a member of the St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a member of the Board of Trustees and on the board of deacons. He served as the medical director of the Pecan Manor Nursing Home, now Westwood Nursing Center, from 1987-1991. Dr. Clemons traveled to Africa as a participant in a study of hypertension in African Americans.
He also served as a delegate to the Medical Association of Georgia for the Ogeechee Medical Society, was a member of the American Medical Association, a lifetime member of the NAACP, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, a member of the Georgia Southern Foundation Board and a member of the Beta Chemical Society. Dr. Clemons gave unselfishly to his community by giving free physicals to the Statesboro High School basketball players. He visited many homes in Bulloch County to provide medical assistance, financed on-the-job training for FBLA students hailing from different high schools in the county, provided an opportunity for youth to attended Six Flags over Georgia and other special events and served as a mentor and a role model for youth in the county. He was a nominee of the Dean Day Smith Service to Mankind Award as well as many other prestigious awards and accolades. For many years he served as a "trailblazer" in the health field of Bulloch and nearby counties. He humbly served numerous patients with empathy, dedication, gratitude and love until his retirement in 2009. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Tammy Clemons; and a grandson, Thurman Clemons III.
Dr. Clemons leaves behind to commemorate his life and legacy: his devoted and loving wife, Ammie M. Clemons, Statesboro, Ga.; children, Kimberly Clemons, Thurman Charles (Jamie) Clemons and Dr. Amy D. Clemons, M.D., all of Statesboro, Ga.; two grandchildren, Camille and Jasmin Clemons, both of Statesboro, Ga.; a sister, Mary Ann Clements, Detroit, Mich.; three brothers, Robert (Helen) Clemons, Oxen Hill, Md., Eddie (Dorothy) Clemons, Nashville, Tenn., and Ray (Dorothy) Mobley, Newman, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Mary Gladys Clemons, Detroit, Mich.; a host of other relatives, former colleagues and numerous friends.
Dr. Clemons will lie in state at the church on the day of service one hour prior to the funeral service. There will be no viewing after the eulogy.
The funeral service for Dr. Thurman Clemons, M.D., will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2227 Mallard Pond Road, Statesboro, Ga., with the pastor, the Rev. Timotheus Mincey, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with military honors.
Online tributes and condolences may be expressed at hillsmortuaryinc.com.
Final rites entrusted to Hill's Mortuary, Inc.

Statesboro Herald, March 31, 2012
Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.