Thurston Templeton

Thurston Templeton, formerly of Statesville, entered into his eternal rest on February 24, 2011 at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Salisbury, N.C., where he has resided since March 2006. He was born in Erlanger, a mill village outside Lexington, N.C. on September 15, 1928, the son of the late Onlan and Constance Ferguson Templeton. He was predeceased by his sisters, Orpah T. Lyles and Gwendolyn T. Graves along with brothers Frank Templeton and his twin brother, Thurman, who passed away shortly after birth. After his mother died from childbirth complications, he was reared by his paternal grandmother, Frances Florida McLean Templeton, who made her home in Mooresville, N.C. He was considered more of a younger brother to his aunts and uncles; each of whom has preceded him in death. He is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends, all of whom will treasure every remembrance of his character, integrity, quick wit, but most of all his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and his bold representation of the Gospel. Thurston entered Erskine College following graduation from Mooresville High School. He entered the Air Force in 1951 and served until 1953 during the Korean War. He served in the Asian Theatre in the Philippines as a Chaplain's Assistant, achieving a rank of Airman Second Class. Following these years of service to his country, he returned to secure a degree from Bob Jones University in Religious Studies. He worked in West Virginia at a mission organization until he returned to the Statesville area to begin work as a Medicaid Caseworker for the Iredell County Department of Social Services. After retirement, he worked part-time at Harris Teeter. Thurston was active and involved with Statesville Kiwanis Club and Gideon's International, North Statesville Camp. He was an active member of Command Baptist Church since 1963 where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Treasurer, and Sunday School Teacher. Funeral service to celebrate the life of Thurston Templeton will be conducted 2:00 pm Monday, February 28, 2011 at Command Baptist Church, 658 Island Ford Rd, Statesville. The family will visit with friends starting at 1:00 PM for one hour prior to the service. Following the service, interment will take place in the Templeton Family plot at Glenwood Cemetery, Mooresville, N.C. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to either of the following organizations, which were such a large part of Thurston's life: Command Baptist Church, Church Library Fund, 658 Island Ford Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625, or Gideon's International, Statesville North Camp, P.O. Box 1321, Statesville, N.C. 28687. Online condolences may be sent to www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries . Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Thurston Templeton.