Margaret Marie Thurman

Margaret was born August 20, 1927 in Horton, Texas to Horace and Annie Lilly West. She graduated from Klondike Highschool.  Margaret’s father was a farmer most of her life, but later her parents moved to Dallas to seek work when farming slowed.  Margaret was one of seven siblings, two boys and five girls.  She loved her wonderful family and all of her many nieces and nephews and their kids. 

In 1947 Margaret married Earl Harvey Thomas.  Earl was home from the war and the two of them were introduced by Earl’s Aunt who Margaret worked with at the phone company.  Earl was a commercial artist and worked for the Dallas Moring News and Wilson Engraving Company.  They lived in Irving where their children Mike and Jan graduated from High School.  They attended the Methodist Church there and had many friends.  Margaret worked at a kindergarten preschool for 13 years.  

Maggie was brought closer to Christ a result of praying to Him many times throughout hospital and doctor visits with their daughter Jan who had one the first open heart surgeries in Dallas.  In 1970, Maggie heard Stuart Briscoe on the radio talking about a personal relationship with Jesus and inviting people to pray.  Maggie stopped where she was in her house and prayed, after that she said her life was drastically different.  She said people asked her why she smiled so much.  She and Earl enjoyed participating in door to door evangelism through their church in Irving for many years. 

In 1977, Margaret and Earl moved to the country on “Dog Town Road” in Klondike near where Margaret was born.  They were members at Klondike Baptist Church where Earl was a deacon, and later at New Beginnings Fellowship in Sulphur Springs.  As Earl’s artwork slowed down their ministry to others sped up.  They touched many lives with the kind and consistent love of Jesus.  They enjoyed church, revivals, prison ministry, missions, recovery ministry, hospital ministry, nursing home ministry.  They truly enjoyed people and loving them with Christ love (John 4:34). 

About a year after Earl’s homegoing Margaret married her high school sweetheart Gerald Thurman.   God brought them together after 70 years!  Gerald has been a loving and wonderful husband to Margaret.  Margaret often talked about the “wonderful life” they had together and how truly thankful she was for Gerald.  They enjoyed some wonderful years together and Margaret could not have asked for a more faithful, kind and loving husband with which to spend her final years and moments. 

Margaret is survived by her husband Gerald Thurman, her son Mike Thomas and his wife Lina.  Her son in law Randy Harrison.  Her Grandson Tim Thomas his wife Emily and their four children:  Harrison, Violet, Margaret,  and Jubilee.  Her granddaughter Brandy Thomas and her son Maverick Allen.  Maggie was preceded in death and entrance into glory by her daughter Jan Harrison and late husband Earl Thomas. 

Margaret leaves a legacy of faith, hope, and love.  She was tenacious in her trust that Christ was able to do “far more abundantly than all we ask or think”,  she trusted Christ on behalf of herself and others.  She wrote countless letters to encourage others and prayed with many.  She will be greatly missed until we meet in glory. 

“It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

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