MS. PHYLISS ROSE THURSTON

OBITUARY

On Sunday, April 15, 2018, the Lord called the angelic spirit of Phyliss Rose Thurston home. Homegoing services will be conducted Wednesday, April 25, at 12 Noon at Mount Tabor M. B. Church, 2606 W. Grace St., with Pastor T. D. Leonard, officiating.

Deaconess Phyliss Rose Thurston was born on August 3, 1946 in Tampa, Florida to Ola and the late Earl Thurston Jr. and was the oldest of five children.

She attended John Adams High School in Cleveland, Ohio and later matriculated at Erwin Vocational-Technical School, Tampa, FL, becoming a Certified CNA and Phlebotomist. She retired from Tampa General Hospital in 2011.

Phyliss was an active, dedicated, faithful member of Mt. Tabor M. B. Church, where she served on the Deaconess Ministry, Healthcare Ministry and Usher Board #2 and served as a Sunday School Teacher and W.I.A. Teacher. She was also a member of the City Wide Prayer Band.

She was preceded in death by: her father, Earl Thurston Jr.; and aunt, Mary Ellen Thurston.

She leaves to cherish fond memories: her loving and devoted mother, Ola Thurston; 6 children, Sherita Bolden, Dwayne Jones, Deneen Jones, Leroy Jones Jr., Christopher Jones and Kevin Jones and wife, Chanda; 8 embraced children, Lorenzo Carswell, Antonio Carswell, Tameka Jones and husband William, KaTasha Jones, Kerrick Jones Sr., Heather Cotton, Diana Rivers and Rolena Grandberry; 13 grandchildren, L’Anthony Thomas, Chantelle Thomas, Persephone Smith and husband, Delacey of Tifton, GA, Z’novia Burley of Tifton, GA, Brittney Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Sabrel Teel, Kiearia Jones, Daijah Jones, Christopher Jones Jr., Justice Jones, Mirakel Jones and Paris Jones; 21 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Lydia Watts of Grand Isles, NY, Rosiland Crenshaw of Lithonia, GA and Dr. Kim Wilson and husband, Roosevelt of Jackson, MS; 1 brother, Steven Thurston and wife Sharon of Newport News, VA; 6 nephews: Edward Watts Jr. and wife, Amy of Buffalo, NY, Jonathan Watts and wife, Andrea of East Aurora, NY, Eric Crenshaw of Atlanta, GA, Jamaal Wilson of Tallahassee, FL, Nathaniel Wilson of Springfield, OH and Marcus Wilson and wife Amanda of Indianapolis, IN; cousins: Anita Arnold, Barbara Sorey, Geraldine McCollin, Regina Peterson, Horace Drew, Keith Drew, Darryl Drew, Ralph Davis, Lartrecia Davis, Kathartis Neal, Marlon Monroe, Inez Patterson, Jackie Vanderhorst, Michelle Vanderhorst and Ron Vanderhorst; and 2 very devoted and loving cousins, Delores Hardy and husband Lensy and Verneine Monroe and husband Willie.    

Phyliss had lots of people who truly loved and treasured her, but we would be remiss if we did not mention Leroy Jones Sr. of Dalton, GA, Wilma Jones of St. Stephens, AL, Robert Bolden Jr., of Cleveland, OH, Ruth Smith and Belinda Jefferson and a host of other relatives, friends and church members.

The remains will repose Tuesday, April 24 from 4 - 7 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue,  and the family will receive friends from 6 - 7 p.m.