Fanelle Hankamer Thurman, 90, formerly of Lafayette, Louisiana and Beaumont, died Sunday, August 21, 2011, at Village Creek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Lumberton. Born January 21, 1921, in Beaumont, she grew up in Sour Lake, where she graduated Valedictorian from Sour Lake High School in 1937. She attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. On August 13, 1943, she married Jack E. Thurman of Tulsa, Oklahoma with whom she shared a full and happy life until his death in 2008.

She and Jack settled in Beaumont after World War II where they raised their children. She was organist at Northwood Christian Church, Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout den mother, member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, elementary school teacher and loving wife and mother. In 1970, she and Jack moved to Lafayette when he was transferred with Sun Oil Company. Again she served as church organist at First Christian Church, Sunday school teacher and leader in Christian Women’s Fellowship. In 2009, following Jack’s death she moved to the Village Creek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Fanelle loved her church, volunteering in her community at Charity Hospital in Lafayette, with the VITA Literacy program and Meals on Wheels.

Fanelle was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; and her parents, Ernest Lester and Wilda Freezia Hankamer.

She is survived by her three children, Jack E. Jr. and his wife, Carolyn, Robert L. and his wife, Ellen of Frisco, Texas and Lyn T. Robinette and her husband, William of Dallas, Texas; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Village Creek Rehabilation in Lumberton and Hospice of Texas for all the care given to Fanelle.

A graveside service will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 27, 2011, at Magnolia Cemetery, 2291 Pine Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fanelle Thurman’s name to Alzheimer’s Association of Beaumont, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.