Andrew L. Thurman

Andrew L. Thurman

ST. MICHAELS - Dr. A. L. Thurman, 75, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, at his home.

He was born Jan. 14, 1931, to the late Andrew and Sarah Thurman.

He received his education in Anniston, Ala. He met Jennelle Couch in 1949 in Birmingham, Ala. They were married in 1950 and to this union were born six children.

During his formative years, he was called to the ministry a "kid preacher" at 15 years of age. Dr. Thurman preached out his first church in Jacksonville, Ala. with the help of his mother, missionary Sarah Ann Thurman. At the age of 17 he was ordained.

Dr. Thurman founded and built several churches, including the St. Michaels Church of God in Christ, 240 North St., St. Michaels, where he was pastor until the time of his death.

He was instrumental in the establishment of the Greater Maryland Jurisdiction Evangelistic Department and served as its President for several years. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity by the Trinity Hall College and Seminary, June 25, 1988. He worked at Mercantile Safe Deposit and Trust until his retirement in 1978; at which time he became involved in full-time ministry.

Dr. Thurman is survived by his wife, Evangelist Jennelle Thurman; two daughters, Verlencia Conyers of Arnold, Vanessa Thomas of Belview; three boys, Andrew C. Thurman of St. Michaels, Andre Thurman of St. Michaels, Anthony L. Thurman of Towson; one daughter-in-law, Mossille Thurman and one son-in-law, Albert Thomas. He is also survived by four sisters, Vesterine Thomas of Baltimore, Julia Ruth Brown of Baltimore, Doris Ceo of Baltimore, Ruby Lee Turman of Pittsburgh, Pa.; one brother, Andrew Thurman Jr. Of Detroit, Mich.; three sisters-in-law, Annette Johnson of Pittsburgh, Pa., Molly Robertson of Buffalo, N.Y., Dorothy (Dot) Thurman of Detroit, Mich. and three brothers-in-law, Albert Ceo of Baltimore, Emory Brown of Baltimore and Tillman Johnson of Pittsburgh, Pa.; three grandchildren, Avery Thurman of Baltimore, Alexandria E. Thurman of Saint Michaels, Sylvester Williams of Easton and six great-grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Union United Methodist Church, Railroad and Fremont Avenue, St. Michaels.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, at the Union United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Richards Memorial Cemetery, Easton.

Arrangements are being handled by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Easton.