Lorene Thurman, 87

Funeral services for Eva Lorene Thurman, 87, of Ava, were held Aug. 21, 2018, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava with Pastor Oren Alcorn officiating. Mrs. Thurman died Aug. 17 at Riverways Manor in Van Buren with her family by her side.

She was born Aug. 21, 1930, in Douglas County, the daughter of Harl and Daisy Lee Rhoades Elliott. On Jan 29, 1949, in Douglas County she married Lester Emmett Thurman. 

Mrs. Thurman worked at Baxter County Laboratories in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She had also managed Ross Furniture and Price’s Hardware in Van Buren, Johnson’s Clothing Store in Gainesville, and worked for Hagale’s Clothing manufacturing in Ava. She also served as a cook in the Gainesville schools.

She was a Christian and a member of the Ava General Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening and cleaning. She adored her husband Lester, her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren

She is survived by her two daughters and their husbands: Debra Guffey and husband Bob of Gainesville and Paula Ross and husband Max of Van Buren; four grandchildren and their spouses, Justin Guffey, Blake and Lindsay Guffey, Misty and Robbie Burke, and Tiffany and Colby Gossett; four great-grandchildren, Hailey and Kale Burke, Gracey Gossett and Emmett Blake Guffey; three sisters, Nadine Crisp, Corrine Bell and Faye “Kay” Pfister; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lester; two brothers, Albert and Harley “Tom” Elliott; two sisters, Pauline Ellison and Dortha Elliott; and a half-brother, Alvin Elliott.

Burial was in the Ava Cemetery in Ava. Memorial contributions may be made to her granddaughter’s charity, Lending A Hand, P.O. Box 734, Van Buren, MO 63965. Online condolences may be expressed at clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.

Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, directors.