Thelma Thurman

Thelma Thurman, 84, of Dayton passed away Friday morning,  June 5, 2015 at Life Care of Rhea County.

She was born in Bledsoe County on August 18, 1930 to the late McVay Dunn and Laura (Swafford) Dunn Hankins. She was also preceded in death by her step-father Johnny Hankins; grandson Jimmy Angel; sisters Mary Ann Seals, Lenna Hurst, Ruby Roberts and Lelia Thurman; and brothers York Dunn, Dan Dunn, Tunney Dunn, and Nelma Dunn; and son-in-law Eddie Dowden.

Thelma lived most her life in Dayton and retired from Kayser Roth after 20-plus years as a seamstress. She was a volunteer at We Care for over ten years and enjoyed crafts, sewing, and fishing. She was a member of The Family Church in Dayton.

She is survived by three daughters Wanda (James) Pinkerton of Kingston, Betty (Randall) Reed of Pikeville, and Gladys Dowden of Dayton; two brothers Junior (Shirley) Hankins of Bledsoe County, and Lawrence Hankins of Georgia; five grandchildren David Angel, Steve Reed, Donna Brock, Patty Cathey and  Michael Dowden; ten great-grandchildren Jimmy Beville, Megan Angel, Kevanne Beville, Ashley Hughes, Creedence Brock, Matthew Reed, Gracie Reed, Gabriel Cathey, Emily Cathey, Anderson Cathey and one great-great grandson Malachi Hughes. 

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Darryl Smith officiating. She was laid to rest in Rhea Memory Gardens.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton.

Please share your memories of Thelma on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.