Morris W. Thurman Sr.

1935 - 2016

Morris W. Thurman, Sr.

Columbia, TN

80, President of Huson Leasing & Development, retired President of Alman Construction, and resident of John Sharp Road in Spring Hill, died Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at St. Thomas West Hospital.

Born October 18, 1935 in Giles County, he was the son of the late Webster Wilkins Thurman and the late Annie Mai Foster Thurman. On May 23, 1953, he married Janis Cannady Thurman who preceded him in death August 3, 1986. On December 27, 1993, he married Sandra Lynn Lyles Thurman who preceded him in death February 15, 2001. Mr. Thurman was a 1953 graduate of Columbia Central High School. He is primarily known for founding Alman Construction Company in Nashville in the early 1970's. Alman Construction was a major excavation, grading, utility, road and bridge construction company; and over a period of years and hard work, it became one of the major construction companies in the southeast. Alman built major highways and interstates across Tennessee. After much success in the construction industry, Mr. Thurman retired and enjoyed life on T & T Farms raising Black Angus beef cattle. He was also involved in home construction, owning SMT Development.

Mr. Thurman was one of two people chosen from Tennessee in 1981 to meet and have dinner in the Rose Garden with President Ronald Reagan. As a member of the Maury County Planning Commission, he was instrumental in the erection of the Andrew's School Bell Tower at the Memorial Building. He was also a member of Tennessee Road Builders Association, Infrastructure Corporation of America, Associated General Contractors, and Columbia Elks Lodge. He was a longtime member of Central Christian Church. He cherished time spent with his family and was affectionately known as "Pop".

Survivors include his loving and devoted companion of nine years whom he loved dearly, Debbie Antista of Spring Hill; children, Candra (Spencer) Corlew of Burns, Morris Wayne Thurman, Jr. of Brentwood, Kelvin Thurman of Columbia, Carlton W. Thurman of Spring Hill; grandchildren, Derick Corlew of Burns, Candy (Mario) Carrera of Orcutt, California, Zachary Thurman and Blake Thurman, both of Spring Hill; and The "Fab Five", Morris Wayne Thurman, III of Nashville, Kelly (Bill) Carroll of Spring Hill, Adam Thurman of Columbia, Amanda (Jeff) Sneed of Murfreesboro, Mason Thurman of Nashville; great grandchildren, Alex, Tanner, Jasmine, Adreauna Corlew, all of Dickson, Peyton and Bloom Carrera of Orcutt, California, Silas Carroll of Spring Hill, Cutler Thurman of Columbia, Paxton Sneed of Murfreesboro; brother, Foster (Jean) Thurman of Columbia; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Laverna Boatright and three brothers, Clayton Thurman, Wilkins Thurman, and Billy Thurman.

Active pallbearers will be Morris Wayne Thurman, III "Trey", Adam Ross Thurman, Mason Webster Thurman, Alex Channing Corlew, Tanner Hardin Corlew, Zachary Webster Thurman, Blake Thomas Thurman, Bill Carroll, Jeff Sneed, Sean Anthony Antista, and Shane Ryan Antista. Honorary pallbearers will be Spencer Corlew, Derick Corlew, William Burns, Rodney Mayberry, Steve Lockhart, Dennis Satterfield, Ray Franks, Bill Grissom, Dale Strange, Mike Barnes, Jimmy Boatright, Jerry Clayton, Aubrey Harwell, Wayne White, and former employees of Alman Construction.

The family suggests memorials to Central Christian Church, 701 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 1:00 P.M. at Central Christian Church with Tracy Cameron and Jon Ross officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home and Friday from 12:00 - 1:00 P.M. at the church. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. 931-388-4711