Cecil A. Thurman

Funeral services for Mr. Cecil A. Thurman will be conducted at 11:00 Thursday, June 27, 2024, at New Hebron Baptist Church with interment following in the New Hebron Cemetery. The Reverend Mike Grenn will officiate, assisted by Reverend Danny Forrest. Mr. Thurman, age 92, entered the eternal rest of his Lord Monday morning, June 24, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at his home in New Hebron. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The Thurman family will receive friends Thursday morning beginning at 9:00 AM until the hour of service at 11:00 AM at New Hebron Baptist Church.

Mr. Thurman will be carried to his final rest by his grandsons, Devin Thurman, Joey Thurman, Kevin Stephens, Jason Stephens, Matt Sandifer and Jameson Sandifer.

Cecil A. Thurman was born on September 6, 1931 in New Hebron, Mississippi to Samuel and Genella Brown Thurman.  He was a graduate of New Hebron High School and played football for the Golden Bears.  A brick mason most of his life, he honed his craft and leaves behind a legacy of hard work and skill.   After graduating from high school, Cecil honorably served his country in the United States Navy, with much of his time spent in the picturesque landscapes of Hawaii. His time in the military instilled in him a sense of duty and patriotism that he carried with him throughout his life. 

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Cecil would go on to take the beautiful Miss Bobbie Williams as his bride. Together, they enjoyed 68 years of marriage and raised four children filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories that will endure for generations to come.

Mr. Thurman will also long be remembered for the joy he found in raising his garden. He and his wife not only canned vegetables to feed their family, but shared with neighbors all around. Even in his years of diminishing health, he defied what many would consider physical limitations; with his unwavering determination, he kept working the ground and planting seed, with the expectation of a harvest. His love for gardening was matched only by his love for spending time at his fishing camp at Eagle Lake, where he and his fishing buddies made many happy memories.

Mr. Thurman was also one of the first members of the New Hebron Volunteer Fire Department.  A faithful member of New Hebron Baptist Church, Mr. Thurman's faith in God guided him through life's challenges and provided him with strength and comfort in times of need. 

Mr. Thurman is preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Genella Thurman, and his sister, Ruth Brewer, as well as a sister who passed away in her youth, Wilma Thurman.

His memory will forever be cherished by his beloved wife of 68 years, Bobbie Thurman of New Hebron; daughters, Jan (Keith) McPhail of New Hebron, Brenda (Gregg) Stephens of Silver Creek, Donna (Sambo) Nuckles of New Hebron; son, Mickey (Dwanna) Thurman of Lone Star.  The legacy of their "Pops" will also live on through his grandchildren, Kevin Stephens, Jason Stephens, Christy Sandifer, Devin Thurman, Joey Thurman and his great-grandchildren, Jameson Sandifer, Madilynn Sandifer, Wyatt Stephens, Cooper Thurman, Ellie Thurman and Tyler Thurman.  Mr. Thurman also leaves behind 3 nieces, Linda Byrd, Betty Clifton and Sherry Turnage.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com