Naida Louise (Nelson) Thurman

Naida Louise Thurman, 82, of Piedmont, MO, passed away Thursday, October 7, 2021, at St. Louis University Hospital. She was born in Van Buren, MO, February 6, 1939, to parents Arvil James and Delphia Mae (Burnham) Nelson.

Naida was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She graduated from Van Buren High School and on March 9, 1958, she married James “Pesty” Thurman. Naida was of the Baptist faith and attended Harvest Baptist Church, Piedmont. She worked at Toney’s Pharmacy, she was a cook at JRs, and she worked at the Onion Ring Factory. Naida enjoyed the outdoors working in her garden and taking care of her flowers, picking wild blackberries and grapes. She enjoyed her porch swing and loved reading, especially westerns. Naida will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of sixty-two years; brother: Clifford Nelson; sisters: Kay Robertson, Pearl, and Lee Nelson.

Naida is survived by her children: Ed Thurman and wife Tammy of Piedmont, Gina Harris and husband Richard of Ash Grove; grandchildren: Tara Rasmussen and husband Micah, Summer D’Amico and husband Nick, Cody Harris, Jennifer Sharkey and husband Cheyne; great-grandchildren: Jaxson, Brock, Bailey, Brosnan, Blakelyn, Radley, and Brett; brother: Butch Nelson; sister: Maxine Nelson. Naida will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A graveside service was held at 4:00 pm, Sunday, October 10, 2021, at Thurman Family Cemetery, Piedmont. Pastor Pete Ruble ministered to the family. Jennifer Sharkey, Summer D'Amico, Nick D’Amico, Kevin Seal and Craig Smith served as pallbearers. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Naida Louise (Nelson) Thurman, please visit our floral store.