Kathleen Johnson Thurman

Kathleen Whitaker Johnson Thurman, age 97, passed away Monday, February 16, 2015. Born in Rocky Mount, NC, on May 15, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Leslie Pierce Johnson, Sr. and Kathleen Benton Johnson. She attended school in Rocky Mount and graduated in 11 years. During later years she took various college courses. Kathleens husband, Charles Harris Thurman (Red) had seen her walking by his business (J. W. Thurman and Son, Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning) wearing a dress she had knitted for herself, and told his friends he was going to marry that girl one day. He found out who she was, started courting her, and married her a few years later on April 8, 1937, at Trinity Methodist Church in Durham, NC. They had three daughters, Kitty, Peggi, and CIndy, and raised them in a loving, caring home. They saw to it that their daughters went to the right places, participated in the right activities, took music and dancing lessons, and had college educations. As a young child, Kathleen was dearly loved by her parents, grandmothers, and aunts. Her grandmothers kept her often, took her on nice trips, and taught her how to sew. She received such tremendous love from so many people that she glowed, and that love spilled out of her to everyone who was ever around her. She led a very calm, loving, tranquil, contented life. She was full of life, and wanted to be in on everything her family did, even to taking a nice boat ride with her grandchildren the summer before she died. Kathleen loved family, and her home was a haven - a hub of activity for the entire family. Everyone loved to visit Kats house because she would stop everything she was doing to visit with you, or add another plate to the table. The highlight of her nieces lives was to stay over at Aunt Kats house and play - her home was full of toys, games, laughter, food, and love. Her grandchildren adored her. Kathleen knew when to listen and when to talk. Her children, grandchildren, siblings, and the men of the Rocky Mount Jaycees easily talked with Mom about their lives, their families, their problems, or just anything they needed to talk about. She had the gift of listening and really hearing what was being said. Taking Kathleen shopping was an adventure. Strangers opened doors for her, told her she was beautiful, and chatted with her, and Kathleen opened up and talked until they found some connection - always. She was a people magnet; people were drawn to her and she was drawn to people. Kathleen was past Regent of the Micajah Pettaway Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and past Chaplain of the Eleanor White Dare Chapter of Colonial Dames, 17C. She served as Secretary or President of Braswell Elementary School PTA for 30 to 35 years. She was in the Readers Guild Book Club for around 65 years. Often she was honored by the governor for some charity work she had done. She served as Executive Secretary of the Rocky Mount Chapter of Jaycees for 19 years, and edited their state award winning newsletter. This was a job she loved and took great pride in. “Her” boys loved her as well, and working together, had one of the best chapters in the state. To celebrate her 90th birthday, some past presidents of the JCs gave her an elegant surprise banquet at Benvenue Country Club. She was presented the Long Leaf Pine Award, the highest award that can be given to a civilian in North Carolina. Mayor Fred Turnage proclaimed May 15, 2007, as Kathleen Thurman Day in the city of Rocky Mount. The National President of Jaycees sent her a letter thanking her for her outstanding contributions to the organization. Kathleen left to her children, grandchildren, and to all who knew her the legacy of gentility, softness, grace, sincerity, integrity, love, and the ability to recognize one for goodness or to chastise one for not doing what was true and right. She led by example. A friend told the family that Mrs. Thurman lived her life in such a way that had an enormous impact on a significant number of people and that her life was purposeful and wonderful. Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Kathleen Johnson; her husband, Charles Harris Thurman; her sisters, Marguerite Johnson and Nancy Fowler; her brother, Leslie Johnson; her niece, Beverly Strickland. Surviving are her children Kitty Hall of Atlanta, Ga., Peggi Mauney of the home and New Bern, and Cindy Rutledge (John) of Greensboro; grandchildren, Lisa M. Worley of Stella, Susan M. Hamann (Mike) of Fredericksburg, Va., Chip Mauney (Sarah) of New Bern, Todd Hall (Leanne) of Atlanta, Ga., Robin H. Pavelka (Danny) of Austen, Texas, Ross Rutledge of Washington, DC, and Andy Rutledge (Megan) of Greensboro; Great Grandchildren: Jordan Anderson, Cason Hall, Carsyn and Trenton Mauney, and Harrison and Charlie Hamann; Siblings: Martha J. Strange (Ed) of Rocky Mount and John Johnson (Betty) of Virginia Beach; Va.; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC. Visitation will be on Saturday, February 21, 2015, beginning at 2:00 pm. Burial will be at Pineview Cemetery. Additional visitation will be at the home of Martha and Ed Strange, 3613 Mansfield Drive, Rocky Mount on Friday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 PM. Thank you, Mom, for being our Mother and our best friend. You always wore your sincere, warm smile, and loved us unconditionally. Heaven has gained one of the best. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home Cremations Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Saturday 2/21, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Service Location Not Available Friday 2/20, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Saturday 2/21, 3:00 pm Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801