Norma Kathleen (King) Thurman

NORMA KATHLEEN KING THURMAN

Norma Thurman, aged 95 years, passed away on February 2, 2024 at Meadow Lakes Senior Care in Mooresville, IN.  She was born in Bracken County, KY on October 31, 1928 to Albert Wren and Anna Lillian Poole King.  She graduated valedictorian from Minerva High School and with a bachelor’s degree from Cincinnati Bible College.  From childhood, she professed her faith in Jesus Christ, and on Easter Sunday, 1938, she was baptized.  Throughout her life nothing delighted her more than studying her Bible, meeting with fellow Christians, and sharing the Gospel.  

On September 12, 1950 , Norma was united in holy matrimony with Thomas Duncan Thurman.   She joined him in his ministries in Springfield, KY, Grayson, KY, and in Danville, IL.   In 1963, Tom and Norma were called to the mission field in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).   They served the Central African Mission for ten years.  On their return to the U.S., Norma worked for 25 years at Standard Publishing, as editor of Vacation Bible School materials.  She continued to support Tom in his ministries at churches in Mason and Mowrystown Ohio and at Fairway Christian Church, The Villages, FL.

After she was widowed in 2005, Norma resided at Meadow Lakes Senior Care and attended Mt. Gilead Church.  This was a time of great blessing for her.  She always marveled at the wonderful friends she made both at church and among the residents and staff at Meadow Lakes.  As a result of her sweet spirit and pleasant personality, she was loved by many. 

Besides her husband, Tom Thurman, Norma was preceded in death by her parents and by her two sisters, Anna Elizabeth Chamblin and Marjorie Jean Reeves; and by her brother, Albert Poole King.  As the last sibling living, Norma cared deeply for her nieces and nephews; she was a great fount of family history and until she was 93 years old, took any who would accompany her on a road trip to all the ancestral spots.

Norma’s beautiful life will be cherished in the lives of her children: Deborah (and Philip) Crowdy; Diana (and Steve) White; and Dave (and Susan) Thurman.  Her prayers and Christian influence will be felt forever in the lives of her seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren: Justin (and Michelle) White (Leyton, Lance, Lila); Andrew (and Maritza) Crowdy (Andrea, Cristina); Allison (and Jason) Morrissey (Emma, Ethan); Richard (and Crista) Crowdy (Izabelle, Gabrielle); Chelsea (and Anthony) Jones (Graham, Jada); Drew (and Breanna) Thurman (Annie, Dottie); and Courtney Thurman.

Friends may call at Mt. Gilead Church on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from 10:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m.   Services will follow immediately with Jeff Faull and Dave Thurman presiding.  At a later date, Norma’s ashes will join those of her husband’s at Arlington Memorial Gardens, Cincinnati OH.  Memorial contributions are preferred to the Hippo Valley Christian Mission. Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family.  Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.