Funeral services for Cynthia Verlene Thurston, 66, of Alex, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 4, 2020 at College Heights Baptist Church with Dr. Bryan Haynes.
Cynthia Verlene (Jackson) Thurston was born on September 15, 1954 in Durant, Oklahoma, the daughter of Oran H. Jackson and Vera Mae (Crossland) Jackson. She died on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 in Norman, Oklahoma.
Verlene grew up in Caddo, Oklahoma and graduated in 1972 from Caddo High School. She then graduated from Southeastern College in Durant with a degree in Home Economics, but has always hated to cook, clean, or sew. Right after college she served two years on the mission field in Chile, South America as a journeyman with the International Mission Board (IMB).
On August 17, 1985, she married Phillip Page Thurston, Jr. in Caddo and they were married 35 years.
Verlene always had a heart for missions serving with the IMB for 12 years. As soon as Phil expressed a desire to go on the missions field, she readily agreed, but prayed for a tub with hot running water. They spent 10 years serving the Lord together in South Asia, specifically India and Bangladesh. She was fearless and had many adventures while serving in missions, one of which was walking boldly into the heavily armed home of a foreign diplomat just to say hello. She was known as the “bubbles lady” walking through villages blowing bubbles, because she believed in the power of laughter.
She was an eloquent and humorous writer and wrote short stories of their adventures on the mission field, called the “Thurston Sagas”. She collected people, calling them her “adopted kiddos”. She was absolutely steadfast in her faith and devotion to the Lord throughout the years.
Verlene was preceded in death by both parents and one of her brothers, Luke Jackson.
Survivors include her husband, Phillip Page Thurston, Jr. and mother-in-law, Peggy Thurston both of the home; children Daniel Page Thurston of Alex and Camille Louise Thurston of Stillwater; brother Joe Jackson and his wife, Reta of Texas; nieces Tracie Westray and her husband David and son Dalton, Amy Skiles and Kelly Brooks; and other extended family and friends.
Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. in the Gethsemane Cemetery in Caddo, Oklahoma under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.