Nell left Arkansas in January of 1949 and moved to Houston, TX to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. She started out as an operator and worked her way up to become a Senior General Translations Clerk. She worked until October 1988, and for 38 of those 39 years, she never missed a day of work. After retirement in Houston, Nell returned to live in the Prairie Grove community where she resided with her sister, Mary.
Nell attended the Prairie Grove Community School and also took some classes at the University of Houston. She was a member of the Prairie Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include three brothers: Cecil Thurman and wife, Evelyn of the Prairie Grove community, Winfred (Windy) Thurman and wife, Maxine of Booneville, MS and Billy Joe Thurman and wife, Carol of Hot Springs Village, AR; and two sisters: Mary Thurman and Ouida Bowden and husband, Clifford, all of the Prairie Grove community.
She is also survived by four nieces: Beth Thurman of Monticello, AR, Gwen Gates and husband, Doug of Clear Lake City, TX, Susan Harris and husband, Bobby of the Prairie Grove community, and Linda Martin and husband, Mike of Silver City, NM; two nephews: Mark Bowden and wife, Kim of the Prairie Grove community and Rick Thurman and wife, Leannah of Houston, TX.
Other survivors are seven great nieces: Anna Bowden of Vilonia, AR, Carolyn Gates of Clear Lake City, TX, Stephanie, Nikki, Laci and Staci Harris all of the Prairie Grove community, and Olivia Thurman of Houston. In addition, she is survived by seven great nephews: Zach, Nicholas and Jacob Martin of Silver City, NM, Connor Gates of Clear Lake City, TX, Craig Bowden of the Prairie Grove community, and Luke and Joshua Thurman of Houston, and by one great great niece, Madison Harris of the Prairie Grove community.
Condolences(12)
Steve Davis
Monticello, AR Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Mr. Thurman and Beth,Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you and praying for you!! Be encouraged, from what I have read and heard the angels were singing as she made her way home!
Praying fo you
Jeremy Sparks
Cheyenne, WY Wednesday, November 18, 2009 My thoughts and prayers are with your family.Jeremy
Janet McKiever
Hamburg, AR Wednesday, November 18, 2009 I have heard Harold speak of Nell and the Thurman family many times over the years. You have my deepest sympathy. Janet McKieverBecca Halter
Monticello, AR Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Aunt Beth, I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you....Janie/Larry Fuller
Monticello,, AR Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Beth, Mr. Cecil, and all your family,May God bless and comfort you all in Ms Nell's death.
Janie & Larry Fuller
Janice McAllister
Hot Springs Village, AR Tuesday, November 17, 2009 You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in God's love. How sad to loose those whom we hold so dearly in our hearts. With sympathy and love, Ollie & Janice (Gladden) McAllisterDOROTHY SHARP
Monticello, AR Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Beth, Just to let you know you and your family are in my prayers. Dorothy SharpKarla Wolfe Talleur
Midway, GA Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Please accept my deepest sympathy for all the family.Karla
Elaine Connard
monticello, AR Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Ms Nell will be greatly missed. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.Karen Wolfe
Alexandria, VA Monday, November 16, 2009 My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. May God grant you peace.connie Mullis
Monticello, AR Monday, November 16, 2009 Beth what a beautiful lady. I know she is at last out of pain and not sufferingMy love and best to your family,
connie mullis
Betty M. Jaques
Tallahassee,, FL Monday, November 16, 2009 Prayers and love for the family. Leta Wolfe Mansfield's daughter