Carol Jean (Adams) Thurman

December 30, 1936 – February 7, 2026

Carol “Sweet Pea” Jean Thurman, 89, a resident of Houston, TX, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully on February 7, 2026, in Houston, TX.  She was born on December 30, 1936, in McGehee, AR.  She was the daughter of and preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Walter Adams, Jr. and Enid Ruth (Corder) Adams.

Carol attended Henderson State Teachers College and Arkansas A&M where she took courses in both business and music.  At Arkansas A&M, she met Billy (Bill) Joe Thurman, whom she married on April 13, 1957 in Greenville, MS.  Shortly after, they made their home in Houston.

During her time in Houston, she was a member of St. Philips United Methodist Church (UMC), where she served as Director of both the Mother’s Day Out and Day School programs.  She also sang in the choir and directed the Voices of Joy.  Outside of church, she taught piano lessons 4-5 afternoons per week.

In 1993 they moved to Hot Springs Village, AR and joined Christ of the Hills UMC.  There, she helped form a handbell choir and served as its director.  They returned to Houston in 2016 and joined Christ Presbyterian Church.

She lived a good life and impacted many.  Always in good spirits and wanting to tell a story or two, she thrived on life blood of being around others.  No matter where they moved or lived, Mom built friendships.  She was an avid card player and loved to play Bridge.  She was a formidable opponent in Hearts and a great partner in Spades.

She developed special and individual relationships with each of her 8 grandchildren and loved hosting them in Hot Springs Village with Dad while they lived there for over 20 years during retirement.

In her final months at The Abbey, her final retirement community, she took over as leader of a bible study when the current leader had to step back.  She taught from the Book of Revelations.  It was a fitting close to her time here on earth.

She will be deeply missed.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Thurman; her sister Linda Sue Burgess; and Bill’s siblings Cecil Thurman & Winfred Thurman, Nell Thurman, Mary Thurman and Ouida Bowden and son-in-law Doug Gates.

Carol leaves behind daughters: Gwen Gates, and Lynda (Michael) Martin; son: Rick (Leannah) Thurm

an; eight grandchildren: Zack (Hillary) Martin, Carolyn Gates, Nick (Courtney) Martin, Connor (Anna) Gates, Jake (Callie) Martin, Olivia Thurman, Luke (Allison) Thurman & Joshua (Megan) Thurman and great grandchildren: Sophie Martin, Lucas Martin and Addie Virgil.

A service will be held at Christ Presbyterian Church, 8300 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024 on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 3:00pm followed by a reception/visitation.  A private burial will take place at Houston National Cemetery earlier in the day.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Carol’s name to the Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) https://www.breakthrought1d.org or to the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/ .