Carlton Felton Thurman

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.." Psalms 23 Carlton Felton Thurman was born on June 4, 1948 in El Dorado, Arkansas the son of Dan and Pankie Bray Thurman. He was the 3rd child of seven siblings. After Washington High School, Carlton moved to Dallas, Texas where he was employed by Texas Instrument, until he was drafted in the United States Army in 1971. Carlton proudly served his country during the Vietnam Era Conflict, the Post-Cold War Era and the Persian Gulf War, until his retirement on June 30, 1992 after twenty-one years of active duty. During his tenure; he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Marksman Badge. After retirement, he sought employment with Con Agra Poultry where he was employed for fifteen years. After ConAgra, Carlton went home to enjoy the fruits of his labor where he took on the "easy life" of spoiling his wife, "Queen Lillie" and spent most of his days playing cards and dominoes. Carlton accepted the Lord as his personal savior at an early age. After retiring from the military and returning to El Dorado he re-united with the Douglas Chapel Church Family where he remained an active member for more than twenty years until he was called into eternity. On March 27, 1982, he took the hand of Lillie Zillender in holy matrimony; where they shared thirty plus years of love and devotion. Through this union they were blessed with eight children, Sheila, Sharon, Greg, Shawn, Robert, Carlton, Kevin and Ashley. Carlton was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Brady Thurman, George Thurman and Richard Thurman. Carlton's loving memories will be forever cherished by his devoted wife of thirty plus years, Lillie Zillender Thurman of El Dorado, Arkansas; five sons, Greg Smith and his wife Linda of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Robert Thurman of California, Shawn Thurman, Carlton Thurman and his wife Yasmeen and Kevin Thurman all of El Dorado, Arkansas;three daughters, Sharon Payton and her husband Jerry, Sheila Thurman and Ashley Swift and her husband Nick all of El Dorado, Arkansas; three sisters, Cleaster Davis, Tressie Smart and Deborah Thurman all of El Dorado, Arkansas; eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a host of nephews, nieces, friends, other relatives and church family who will miss him dearly. A Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Thurman will be Friday, February 22, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. D. L. Hegler officiating. Interment will follow in the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Norphlet, Arkansas under the Sims Mortuary Staff. Visitation at the funeral home will be Thursday, February 21, 2013 from 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carlton Felton Thurman, please visit our flower store.