Thurman Turner was born in Copeland, located in Limestone County, and grew up working on the family farm. Along with his family, he moved to Autauga County, where he met and married Doris Reed on May 27, 1949.

Thurman experienced a long, successful career in health care management, serving as the president and CEO of Selma Baptist Hospital, East Alabama Medical Center, and executive vice president of the Alabama Hospital Association. He retired in 1996 and spent many years living on Lake Martin before moving to Birmingham. He enjoyed gardening and landscaping, and always had immaculate yards surrounding his homes.

Thurman was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Cora Turner, and his brother and sister. Survivors include Thurman’s wife, Doris; two daughters, Cindy Williams (Don) and Joyce Peavey (Jim); one son, Hugh (Anne); five grandchildren, Michael and Jessica Peavey, Chris Williams (Rebecca), Lisa Silver (Billy) and Don Williams Jr. (Penny); and six great-grandchildren, Jordan Peavey, Isaiah Peavey, Hunter Williams, Cami Silver, Luke Silver and Trey Williams.

Thurman’s celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham. An hour prior to the service, the immediate family will receive friends and family. Thurman will be interred after a short service at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery in Jones.

The family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the following: Christ Church United Methodist Church, 5691 Caldwell Mill Road, Birmingham, AL 35242; Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, ATTN Golda Reed, 662 County Road 83, Jones, AL 36749; andwww.BiblicalMarriageInstitute.org.