Betty Jean Phillips Thurman

Betty Jean Phillips Thurman 89, of Sacramento went to be with the Lord on Tuesday July 25, 2017 at Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, Florida.  Betty Jean Phillips Thurman was born June 4, 1928, in Beech Grove, Kentucky to the late Armstead David and Zula Lee Wahl Phillips and was known as Miss Betty by family and friends.  Betty attended the Beech Grove School, graduated from the 8th grade in 1942 and then attended Maple Mount School in St. Joseph, Kentucky in the following summer, then moved to Calhoun where she graduated high school in 1946.

          Betty attended Brescia College in Owensboro and Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Several years later she taught grade school at Island Elementary, Home Economics at both Sacramento High School, and Livermore Independent Schools until Livermore became part of the McLean County School System.  She later worked at Sacramento Deposit Bank and retired after 32 years of service.

          Betty was married to the love of her life Denver L. Thurman of Sacramento on June 8, 1951 and they enjoyed life together for 58 years until his death on September 29, 2009.  She was a member of the Calhoun Christian Church until she and Denver became members of the Sacramento United Methodist Church in 1960.  She was a member of the Owensboro Quilters Guild, Beech Grove Homemakers, American Legion Auxiliary #6 in Madisonville, Sacramento OES #67, Daughter of the Nile in Madisonville, was active in the United Methodist Women’s organization of Sacramento, and did some volunteer work.  Betty was a friend to many people wherever she went.  In addition to her parents and her husband, Denver, Betty was preceded in death by a nephew, David Boulware.

          Survivors include a sister, Mona Burke-Abney (Jessie) of Winter Haven, FL; a niece, Felicia Ann Anderson (Andy), seven nephews, John Boulware, Kelly Thurman, Daryl Thurman, Randy Thurman, Marc Thurman, John Thurman, and Niven Thurman; several great nieces and great nephews; and her special friends, Damon and Linda Dillingham of Sacramento.

          A Celebration of Betty’s life will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday at Muster Funeral Homes, Calhoun Chapel with the Revs. Steve Proctor and Michael Deaton officiating.  Entombment will be at Owensboro Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Owensboro.  Pallbearers will be Charlie Bates, Kenny Lee, Damon Dillingham, Ty Dillingham, Bobby Wells, Michael Hunt, and George Blackburn, serving as an honorary pallbearer. Friends may visit with Betty’s family from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday and from 9:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. Saturday at Musters in Calhoun.

          The Betty Jean Phillips Thurman family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Calhoun Cemetery, Beautification Fund; C/O John Howard; 400 Guy Settle Loop; Calhoun, Kentucky  42327.  Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at Musters in Calhoun.

          Share your memories and photos of Betty at musterfuneralhomes.com.

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