Shirley Lee Thurman

On Monday, October 3, 2022, Shirley Lee Thurman, age 81 passed away at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. Shirley was born on Saturday, March 6, 1941, in Farmington.  Shirley’s life was one of serving others.  Upon graduating from Esther, Missouri High School in 1958, she entered the St. John Hospital Nursing program in St. Louis, Missouri. After her graduation from the nursing program, Shirley entered into the United States Air Force in 1962, with the rank of 2^nd Lieutenant. She continued her medical education while enlisted in the United States Airforce finishing Flight Nurse training in 1963 and becoming a Registered Nurse Anesthetist in 1972.

During Shirley’s 12-year military career she was stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, various bases in Japan and numerous provinces of South Vietnam where she worked tirelessly and with great risk to herself as a flight nurse caring for and treating wounded American soldiers.  Shirley’s career in the United States Airforce ended in 1973 with the rank of Captain.  Shirley continued serving in the medical field as a civilian working and teaching at different hospitals.  She retired in 2004.  Shirley was also an avid golfer and a model plane enthusiast as well as a trained pilot. 

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Odess Lee “Scoop” and Ruth Rozene (Thomure) Thurman and brother, Robert C. Thurman.  

She is survived by her sister, Roseann Eaton and husband, Freeman; nephew, Darrell Bryan Eaton; niece, Dawn Ogle and husband, Robert and great nephews, Drake and Grant Ogle.

Memorial visitation will be held at C.Z. Boyer and Son Funeral Home in Desloge, Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 10:00 AM until service time of 12:00 PM with Mike Barton, Sr. officiating.  Inurnment will follow at Doe Run Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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