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Click here to view funeral program for Deacon John William Thurston.

Deacon John William Thurston was born on June 4, 1931. He was the third son of ten children of the late Sandy and Elizabeth Thurston. John was preceded in death by his first wife of 49 years, Martha Dunn Thurston, daughter Monica M. Thurston, and siblings Lina, Curtis, Mitchell, and Spencer Thurston. At an early age, John was driven by faith and became a member of the Mount Gilliam New Site Baptist Church.

He attended Peach Grove Elementary and graduated from the Louisa Training School in 1950. Upon graduation, John worked as a carpenter helper in Bethesda, MD, for two years. He later enrolled in Saint Paul College, Lawrenceville, VA, in January of 1952. On August 10, 1952, John was drafted into the United States Army and served two years in the Korean War. While serving his country, he earned the National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Award, Korean Service Medal, and two Bronze Service Stars.

He was honorably discharged as a U.S. Sergeant of the United States Military. In 1954, John returned to Saint Paul College, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Science and Industrial Education. He finished his college career as a member of the Future Teachers of America Association. John was a life learner at heart and studied at some of the most prestigious institutions in Virginia, like Old Dominion University, Virginia State College (Virginia State University), Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, James Madison University, and Virginia Tech University.

John began his teaching career, which extended from 1958 to 1976, in the Louisa County Public School system. His first job was teaching at Rising Sun Elementary School for six years. He also taught at Ferncliff Elementary School and A.G. Richardson Junior High School in Louisa, Virginia.

He taught at St. Mary Elementary School in Maryland from 1976 to 1980 and was with the Department of Corrections from 1983-2009. During his teaching career, he served as the Vice President of the Louisa County Teachers Association under H.S. Moss and James Flemming.

John continued his journey and purpose through many activities that involved teaching and exploring his horizons, and he chaired many organizations such as Cub Scout Master in Ferncliff, Virginia, President of the Voters League, served five terms as President of the Louisa County Sunday School Union, and chairman of the Deacon Board of Mount Gilliam New Site Baptist Church. He also taught Industrial Art in Greenville County from 1980-1983, and he created and implemented the Industrial Art Club, where he served as a judge.

Deacon John Thurston was a remarkable man of God who touched many lives. He was a dedicated educator, historian, adamant debater, and a friend to man, always willing to lend a helping hand. He pushed the test of time and was never shy to vocalize how he felt about specific topics.

Deacon John William Thurston leaves to cherish his memories a loving wife, Celeste Burrell Thurston, a son, Myron Thurston of Louisa, VA, a daughter, Marlene Tweedy of Wilmington, CA, and Mark Thurston, Owings Mill, MD, five grandchildren, Jason C. Payne of Philadelphia, PA, Ayanna Tweedy of Terra Haute, IN, Yasmine Tweedy of Wilmington, CA, Maya Thurston, Austin, TX, and Myles Thurston of Philadelphia, PA.; four sisters, Lillian "Louise" Jones, Lucille Jones, Linda Collins (Sherman), and Phyllis Richardson; two brothers, Samuel Thurston (Bernice) and Bobby Thurston, all of Louisa, VA; nine bonus children, Celeste "Del" Swann (James), Spring Burrell, and LaNellie Jefferson, all of Dundalk, MD, Donald, Jr. (April), Robert "Ru" (Sharonda), and William "Chill" Burrell all of Baltimore, MD, Aven "Edy" Jackson of Silver Springs, MD, Clarence "Joe" Burrell (Teasha) of Windsor Mill, MD, and James Burrell of VA, a mother- in-law Edith Hardy Green of Baltimore, MD; sister-in-laws, Carolyn Green Wallace (Robert) of Clarkesville, MD, and Cora Green Turner (Devon) of Palm Coast, FL; brother-in-laws Bill Lewis of Raleigh, NC, Robert Green (Mary) of Lawrenceville, VA; and Arthur Green (Sandy) of Baltimore, MD. and a host of bonus grands and great-grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

To the Thurston family, we at  D. D. Watson offer our most sincere sympathy and condolences. Our prayer continues to be that your abiding faith in God will lend to you a measure of comfort that will strengthen and sustain you during your time of sorrow.