11/18/2025
Over a month has already gone by, but we wanted to honor Elsie Thurman here. She was a Lifetime Member of the Saint Jo Riding Club. In 2018, she and Ancil were the Grand Marshals of our rodeo parade. Thank you, Elsie, for your service to our organization. You are missed.
Elsie Mae (Kile) Thurman, 88, of Saint Jo, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 9, 2025.
Elsie was born on July 20, 1937, to Marvin and Hazel (Wilson) Kile in Hardesty, Oklahoma. Her family lived 14 miles out of Perryton, Texas, where she grew up and graduated from high school.
On July 1, 1956, Elsie married Ancil Thurman, and together they shared more than 69 wonderful years of marriage. She met Ancil while he was working in the oil field in Perryton. After they were married, they moved to the Mallard area, then to Saint Jo, and eventually bought their home and property outside of Saint Jo.
Elsie was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Saint Jo, where she taught Sunday School for many years. Her faith in God guided her life, and she lived every day with kindness, humility, and a servant’s heart.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Elsie worked for many years at the Russell Newman Sewing Factory and took great pride in being a homemaker. She was a great cook, had amazing gardens, and found her greatest joy in caring for her family.
Elsie is survived by her husband, Ancil Thurman; daughters Janice Blakely and husband Jimmy, Harriett Burleson and husband Mike; son Clint Thurman and wife Denise; grandsons Cody Thurman and Kile Thurman; brothers Robert Kile and wife Thomasine, Roy Kile and wife Nancy; sister-in-law Covita Kile; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Hazel Kile, sisters: Odessa Penn and Wanda Manross, brothers: Harvey Kile, Charles Kile, and Richard Kile.
Elsie will be remembered for her sweet spirit, gentle nature, generous heart, and unwavering love for her Lord and her family. She touched countless lives and leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and service.
Services were held at First Baptist Church of Saint Jo, Texas, at 1:30pm, Saturday, October 11, 2025. Burial followed at Mountain Park Cemetery in Saint Jo. A visitation was held from 5:00-7:00pm on Friday, October 10, 2025 at Scott Funeral Home.
