Mr. Thurmon Bruce Wilson

Obituary For Mr. Thurmon Bruce Wilson

“THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN ARE ORDERED BY THE LORD AND HE DELIGHTETH IN HIS WAY.” PSALM 37:23

Mr. Thurmon Bruce Wilson was indeed a good man. On April 23, 1925, in Social Circle, Georgia, the late James C. Wilson, Sr. and Letta Mae Wilson welcomed into their family their 5th child, a son, Thurmon Bruce. Thurmon dearly loved his parents and his siblings (all who preceded him in death) - James, Jr., Arnold, William, Mildred Wilson Quarterman, and Ophelia Wilson. He was blessed to have been reared in a home where Christian teachings and principles were taught by precept and example. Thurmon learned his lessons well. Thurmon also had a deep love for family and tradition. He respectfully fulfilled his role as steward of the family legacy. Proud of his ancestors, he worked hard to keep what was given to him "in the family." Thurmon exhibited a thirst for knowledge and determined as a young man that he would become an educated citizen of the world. He graduated from Atlanta’s Booker T. Washington High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Clark College and his Master of Arts Degree from Atlanta University (these institutions subsequently merged to become Clark Atlanta University). During his undergraduate years, he met the love of his life a Spelman College coed, Jeannette Louise Bowman of Pensacola, Florida. Jeannette was not only the love of his life, she was his best friend. During their 52 years of their marriage, Thurmon and Jeannette worked together building a life of caring for others for which they were richly blessed of God. God endowed Thurmon with the "gift" of teaching. His love for young people combined with his love of history made him a beloved teacher and an inspiring role model for his students. He began his professional teaching career in the Marietta Public School District where he was both a teacher and basketball coach. He concluded his professional career with over 38 years of service in the Atlanta Public School System including, Sylvan Hills High School and his alma mater, Booker T. Washington High School. A master teacher, he was the recipient of numerous awards. His colleagues respected him and he was beloved by his former students. Thurmon was a well-rounded man. He was an entrepreneur who met success in real estate, furniture sales, and other business endeavors. He was a traveler who enjoyed traveling with his wife and beloved mother-in-law, Mrs. Dora Lee Bowman. Deep sea fishing was one of his passions and he enjoyed being on his boat for hours. Tennis was his favorite sport and he enjoyed collecting cars. Thurmon was a superb cook and enjoyed entertaining. He was a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. A man who loved God, his church and his pastor, Thurmon was a proud and active member of Wheat Street Baptist Church having joined as a young man during the pastoral tenure of the late Rev. Dr. William Holmes Borders, Sr. and continued through the current pastorate of Rev. Dr. Michael N. Harris. He served in numerous capacities, including Chairperson of the former "Debt Free Committee". He served faithfully until his health began to fail. His fondness for and belief in young people continued to be evidenced in many ways including sponsoring their trip to Washington, D.C., in January 2009 to the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. A lasting legacy to his faith and love for God's church is his donation of the crystal chandelier that adorns the sanctuary Wheat Street Baptist Church. His stewardship also embraced the churches of his family and dear friends including; Central United Methodist Church, First Corinthian Baptist Church (Pensacola, Florida), West Hunter Street Baptist Church and Zion Hill Baptist Church. Thurman Wilson “fought the good fight and finished his course” on Monday, December 7th, in Crawford Long Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. His legacy lives on in his devoted wife, Jeannette Louise Bowman Wilson; two nieces, Sheila Quarterman (Washington D.C.) and Gina R. Wilson and family (Alexandria, Virginia); cousins, Christine Ward (Willard) and family (Pickerington, Ohio), Ross Adams (Bertha) and family (Pensacola, Florida) and a host of dear friends, neighbors, and former students.