Betty Jean Thurman, born on February 15, 1937, in Maury County, Tennessee, peacefully passed away on November 14, 2023, at NHC-Trotwood. She was the youngest of seven children born to the late William Benjamin Foster and Lucy Sutton Foster.
There will be a visitation 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Bill Wagoner, minister of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment will be at Polk Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.
A woman of deep faith, Betty was the last surviving charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbia. Her commitment to her Lord and her church family was steadfast. Betty’s devotion to her faith shaped her character and touched the lives of those around her.
Betty worked at local garment factories throughout the years and later in life studied to get her GED, after which she worked in customer service at United Cities Gas/Atmos. She enjoyed being with friends and family, taking care of her home and yard, singing, southern gospel music and dancing. When she was younger, she and her sisters, Dot and Bessie, formed a trio, with Dot accompanying the three on guitar. Her husband, Ralph, later gifted her with a guitar, which she was able to play without ever having any lessons. She also enjoyed dancing and often attended area dances with family and friends. Betty lived with her son and daughter-in-law her last five-plus years.
Betty is survived by her loving son, Randy (Susan) Thurman, and her cherished grandchildren, Ben Thurman and Stephanie (Sarah Troutt) Thurman. She leaves behind great-grandchildren Jaxon Lynn, Jacob Lynn, Alexis (Haiden Musto) Whitfield, and Cameron Whitfield, as well as great-great-grandson Kai Musto. Betty will also be remembered by a host of nieces and nephews whom she adored and who loved and respected her.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by husband, Ralph Thurman, and her siblings, Lee Foster, Dorothy Ferguson Johnson, Louise Grissom, Bessie Clark, Raymond Foster, and Taylor Foster, and their spouses. Also preceding her was her great, long-time friend, Robert “Sonny” Galbreath.
Pallbearers will be Ben Thurman, Jacob Lynn, Cameron Whitfield, Jaxon Lynn, Alby Woodard, and Haiden Musto, and junior pallbearer Kai Musto. Honorary pallbearers are the members of Trinity Lutheran Church.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to her long-time sitter Samantha Harvill, and substitute sitter Christy Henson, and Betty’s faithful visitor and friend Judy Brimeyer. The family is also very grateful for the compassionate care provided by hospice nurses Dillon and Melanie, and aid Brandy from Compassus Hospice, as well as the staff at NHC-Maury Regional.
