Mary Thurmond

Mary Barnett Thurmond was born July 12, 1929 to Jessie Bell Barnett and Bennie Smith.  She received her promotion to Glory on Thursday, May 12, 2022.    

Mary’s dear mother, Jessie Bell died two weeks after her birth.  She especially loved her dear aunt, Maggie Belle Davis like a mother, as she was the one who traveled to Michigan to bring newborn Mary to Ohio for her grandparents, Ada Wright Barnett and John Barnett to raise.      

Mary attended Hamilton City Schools. She was employed as a healthcare worker and later worked as a childcare provider in private homes.   Mary enjoyed the children she took care of; she loved caring for people.    

In 1958, Mary was united in holy matrimony with Allen Thurmond, Sr. who she loved dearly.  She was the proud mother of nine children; Connie, Linda, Greg, Robin, Allen Jr., Ricardo, Dudley, Terri, and Denise. Mary loved family and had many cousins in addition to her beautiful children and grandchildren.  She was known as an information center who kept everyone informed of what was going on; she loved a good phone conversation at length with cousins, friends, and family.    

Mary was also baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Ghost with fire in 1958 at Mt. Zion Apostolic Temple in New Miami, Ohio.    

Mother Mary Thurmond loved the Lord her God with all her heart, mind and soul, and loved her neighbor as herself.  She was a prayer warrior and loved reading the Word of God. Mother Thurmond especially enjoyed the book of Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.    

Mother Thurmond was a very stylish well-dressed woman and wore the finest hats with the purse to match. She also had a love for t-shirts.    

She was a people person and loved sharing pictures she collected over the years of her children, family, and friends.  Mother Thurmond was an amazing cook in the kitchen; you name it, she could cook it or bake it.  Her specialty was her hot buttery cornbread.  

Mother Mary Barnett Thurmond was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Allen Sr., son, Ricardo, granddaughter, Corrina White and grandson, Calvin James Simmons Jr.  

Blessed with a large family, she leaves to cherish very precious memories: her beautiful children, Connie, Linda, Greg (Melissa), Robin, Allen Jr. (Betty), Dudley ( Wanda ), Terri and Denise; her dear grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; a very special cousin /sister, Beulah Sanford and a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.

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