Alva Delzell Thurman

Alva Delzell Thurman, 86 years, passed to heaven on December 19, 2009 at St.John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, Mo. Alva was born May 7, 1923 in Girdner, Mo., to William and Lydia (Robertson) Thurman. On November 14, 1946 Alva and Frieda Thomas were united in marriage in Mtn. Home, Ark., and to this union three children were born. Alva was a lifelong resident of Douglas County. He was a WWII veteran serving with the U.S. Army. He worked as a farmer, and also served as a Douglas County Deputy Sheriff for many years. Alva also served as a minister and preached at several churches in the area. He was a member of the Mount Calvary Freewill Baptist Church in Ava and the Ava VFW #5993. He enjoyed gospel singings and found so much joy in being with his family and all his grandchildren. Alva was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Naomi Twitty; and a granddaughter, Deanna Thurman. Alva is survived by his wife, Frieda Thurman, Ava, Mo.; three children, Frank Dean Thurman, Platte City, Mo., Alva Edwin "Ed" Thurman and wife, Pam, Sparta, Mo., and Linda Neal and husband, George, Omaha, Ark.; 11 grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Neva Vinson, Ava, Mo., Zola Harrison, Everton, Mo., and Norva Strong, Ava, Mo., many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral services for Alva will be Wednesday, December 23, 2009, at 10 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Mo., with burial in the Yates Cemetery with military honors by Ava American Legion #112 and VFW #5993. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 23, 2009 from 9 a.m. to service time in the funeral home. Officiating will be Rev. J.W. O'Neal and Rev. Marvin Loftin. Memorials may be made to Yates Cemetery or the Mount Calvary Freewill Baptist Church. On line condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.
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To the Thurman family, please forgive me for not posting this sooner. You have all been in my prayers over the past few weeks and continue to be during this time. I wanted to make sure that I posted this to share with all of you. Steph's papa was a very special man and he will be missed by many.