Rabon Thurmond

Rabon Thurmond, Jr. was the third child born to the loving parentage of the late Bro. R.B. Thurmond, Sr. and Opal Turner Thurmond in the New Hope Community of Kilgore, Texas on valentine's day, Febuary 14,1931. He attended school in the New Hope and Fredonia I.S.D. Bro. Thurmond was drafted in the armed forces during the Korean war and served his country in Germany. Bro. Thurmond was a gifted handyman, therefore, he chose a career in minor constuction and plumbing. He worked for years in the Poak Oak community repairing neighbors' and friends' minor home problems. He accepted Christ as his personal saviour and united with the New Hope Christian Church family, where he sang in the male chorus. In 1950, Bro. Thurmond met Sis. Bessie Irving while singing at a concert held by the Post Oak Baptist Church. They were united in Holy Matrimony on February 19, 1951 and have been married for 57 years. This union was blessed four daughters: twin daughters Cinda and Linda and two more wonderful daughters, Ellen and Shirley. Two children preceded him in death, daughter, Ellen Minor and son, Allen Sutton along with sisters, Milbry Carr, Aubrey Thurmond and a brother, Arthur Ray Thurmond. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Bessie Thurmond, Kilgore, Texas; daughters, Linda Hicks, Dallas, Texas; Cinda Boyd (Kenneth), Lewisville, Texas; Shirley Thurmond, Houston, Texas; sister, Audrey Metters, Houston, Texas; brother, John O. Thurmond (Joan), Dallas, Texas; goddaughter, Marecia Strong, Kilgore, Texas; 13 grandchildren: Vermetria Bogney, Autodria Minor, Brandon Robinson, LaToshia Minor, Althea Minor, Eric Minor, Daphne Robinson, Lori Minor, Kelli Minor, Jeromy Robinson, A. J. Sutton, Terrell Sutton and Tori Strong; 25 great grandchildren; two aunts, Ruby King, Gilmer, Texas and Verlee Rice, San Antonio, Texas; three special nieces, Sandra Sheffield (Ruben), Yvonne Sheffield, and Helen Mims; one nephew, David Williams; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.