Alice "Jean" Thurston

Alice "Jean" Thurston of Rome, Georgia, passed away on September 25, 2025. She was born on September 23, 1951, in Cedartown, Georgia, the youngest daughter of Robert Vinson and Francis Roberson Vinson.

Jean graduated from Cedartown High School in 1969 and Berry College in 1973 with a degree in elementary education. She taught school for many years, most often in kindergarten, where she especially enjoyed working with young children.

Jean met Tom Thurston while attending Berry College, and they were married on March 17, 1972. She was a member of Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and was active in the Eagles Sunday School Class until her health prevented her from attending.

Jean had many interests. She enjoyed traveling, particularly to the national parks of the western United States. She also liked animals, plants, antiques, and collecting. Her collections included rocks, minerals, gemstones, and vintage ladies' hats. Her favorite collection was Pez candy dispensers, which began when she used them as rewards in her kindergarten classroom.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Francis Vinson, and her sister, Martha Walker. She is survived by her husband, Tom Thurston; daughters, Amy Thurston and Jenni Thurston; sister, Ann Bridges (Emerson); several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

We wish to thank Dr. Robert Smith and Dr. Brian Hard for their care in Jean's last years. We also want to thank Amedisys Hospice, especially Deidra and Autumn, in their care and support of Jean in her last days.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 2:00pm, in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, with the Rev. Mac McCurry and the Rev. Clyde Hampton officiating. Interment will follow in Rome Midway Baptist Church cemetery

The family will receive friends at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, on Tuesday from 12:00pm until 1:45pm.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church, Building Fund, 735 Old Summerville Road, Rome, GA 30165.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Alice "Jean" Thurston.