We celebrate the life of Litton Thomas Thurman, Jr. (LT), born on November 15, 1929, to the late Litton Thomas Thurman, Sr., and Violet Winton Haley Thurman.  LT was born and raised in Cumberland County, graduating from Cumberland County High School in 1947.  He attended the University of Tennessee before joining the United States Air Force.  He served in England where he was attached to an intelligence wing.  LT learned a love of travel and adventure during those years.

Returning home to Crossville, he married his first wife, Helen Turner, daughter of Frank and Ruth Turner.  They had two children and were involved in a number of civic organizations.  After Helen succumbed to cancer, LT married Debbie Fisher Young who worked at the time for the American Cancer Society.  They made their home in the Holiday Hills area of Crossville for 35 years.  LT retired from the Department of Employment Security in 1994.

LT’s roots trace back to some of the region’s earliest families, including the Thurmans, Haleys, Roses, and Wintons.  On his mother’s side, his grandparents were George Allen and Sarah Matilda Rose Haley. George was born in Crab Orchard, the youngest son of Elijah Graves Haley, Jr., known as Dr. Haley. Dr. Haley was best known for his ownership of the Crab Orchard Inn.  As the story goes, Dr. Haley never knew his father, Elijah Sr., who died at a young age while traveling through Renfro Hollow near Ozone around 1810 with his wife, Mary Alexander, and the very young Elijah Jr., LT’s great-grandfather.  Mary then married Robert Burke and together with her young son, they built and ran the Crab Orchard Inn.  Robert Burke died in an accident, and eventually, the Inn came into the hands of Elijah Jr. (Dr. Haley).  In addition to his involvement with the Crab Orchard Inn, Dr. Haley was a prominent citizen of Haley’s Grove, donating land to build the first school, and was instrumental in establishing Haley’s Grove Baptist church.

LT’s grandfather, George Haley was a prominent early citizen of Crossville who served as a member of the county court, trustee, church leader, and champion of education. They operated a boarding house next to the Crossville Depot where LT lived with his parents and sister.  LT learned to converse with and love people around that boarding-house table.

LT’s paternal family were local business owners of the Thurman’s Mens Store.  Thurman Avenue behind the Cumberland County Courthouse is named for them.  LT’s father, Litton Thurman, Sr. served with Mylo Lemert in World War I.  They were both recommended for medals on the day that Lemert died.

During his lifetime in Crossville, LT served on a number of local Boards.  He was President of the local American Cancer Society Board and a Co-chair of the Cumberland County Playhouse Building Committee for one of the building extensions.  He also served on boards such as the State Area Vocational School, the Homestead Tower Association, and the Palace Theater.  He was a long-standing member of the Crossville First Baptist Church.  As a youth, he worked with Cosby Harrison to lay out some of the lakes that became Lake Tansi.

LT Thurman was a remarkable man whose life reflected the values of family, church, community, and a strong heritage.  He is survived by his wife Debbie, daughter Larrie Wright, three grandchildren Julie Holbert, Marie Thurman, and Brittney Thurman, daughter-in-law Nancy Godena Thurman, niece Sarah Murray, and nephew Tom Elmore, as well as four great-nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, LT was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Turner Thurman, his son, Scott Thurman, sister Betty Lou Thurman Elmore, and nephew Joseph Elmore.

Litton Thomas Thurman, Jr. died peacefully in his home at the age of 92 with his wife, Debbie, and his faithful dog, Biscuit by his side.  A graveside service in the City Cemetery is planned for June 29, 2022, at 10:30 am.

We owe deep gratitude to Hospice of Cumberland County for their care of LT during his last months.  In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be given to the “not-for-profit” Hospice of Cumberland County located at 30 East Adams Street, Crossville, TN. 38555.