On Tuesday afternoon, October 22, 2013, Betty peacefully went home to the Lord after struggling with congestive heart failure. Betty was born on September 5, 1936 to William A. and Hattie (Joseph) Deskin in Kansas City, MO. She grew up and attended schools in the Joplin area and graduated from Central High School in Springfield. On December 2, 1956, she married Gene Thurman, and they spent nearly 52 wonderful years together. To this union, two daughters completed their family. She will forever be remembered by her family as a wonderfully loving and caring Mother and Grandmother who showed her love in so many different ways. For 42 years, she was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church of Springfield and then transferred in 2008 to Hood United Methodist Church of Republic. She was a very active member and servant of Jesus Christ. She was also a charter member of the Springfield Vintage Motor Club. Betty was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one sister, Delores Bylsma; two brothers, Howard A. Deskin and Lee C. Deskin. She is survived by her two daughters, Dawn Kramer and husband, Jim, of Willard, MO and Cathy Larson and husband Floyd of Bois D'Arc, MO; six grandchildren, Elizabeth, Roxana, Alisha, Rochelle, Victoria and Roslyn; and five great-grandsons, Skyler, Logan, Aiden, August and Liam. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 24 from 6 to 8pm in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Services will be Friday, October 25 at 10am in the funeral home, with The Reverend Monty Stratton officiating. Burial will be at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hood United Methodist Church, 139 N. Walnut Ave., Republic, MO 65738.