Funeral services for Thurman Powell, 94, Athens have been scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday June 2, 2018 at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home with Dr. Faulk Landrum officiating.
Private family burial will be held at a later date at Athens Cemetery.
Thurman was born November 21, 1923 in the Unity Community near Murchison to the late Albert Franklin and Lola Cranford Powell. He was a lifelong resident of Henderson County and lifelong Baptist by faith. He attended school in the Unity Community and finishing in Athens. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving in the III Infantry Division and was awarded several medals including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantry Medal. In his early years, Thurman was owner and operator of the Texaco station in Murchison. He moved to Athens in 1957 and started his 50-year career in automobile sales at Kinabrew – McGuffy Chevrolet. In those years Thurman had tenures at Eaton Motor Company, Bill Neal Ford Mercury and finally retired with Elliott Chevrolet. He then became a local historian and greeter at Benson’s Eats and Treats.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marnece, daughter Susan Powell Woodruff and brother Odell Powell.
Survivors include sisters, Loree Roberts, Athens, Fern Thomas and her husband Bill of Mesquite, nieces; Ann Boyles and husband Elliott, Murchison, Cindy Richardson and husband Tommy, Athens, Julie Ellason, Plano, Janna Walker and husband Jamie, Kaufman and numerous other extended family members.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dale Hansen, Neal Yates, Charles Elliott, Damon Floyd, Larry Everett and Lester Kinabrew.
Visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday June 2, 2018 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Alzheimer’s Association.