Margie Jo Thurmond
Margie Jo (Gilpin) Thurmond, 77, of Leslie, MO, passed away Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 in Sullivan, MO, from complications with COVID-19.
Margie was born in Columbia, MO on March 25, 1943, to the late Albert and Dorothy (Neal) Gilpin. She worked at the University Columbia hospital as a nurse. She and Duane Thurmond eloped on Dec. 17, 1967, after two months of courtship. They were happily married for fifteen years until Duane’s passing.
Margie enjoyed playing bingo, solving puzzles, quilting, crocheting, and knitting for those she loved. Perhaps one of her favorite pastimes was playing video games, namely The Legend of Zelda and Lolo. She greatly enjoyed sharing her love of video games and movies with her grandchildren. She was the kind of mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend that anyone would be lucky to have, always lending a kind ear and serving up some delicious homemade cooking, such as chicken n’ dumplings, pork steaks, mashed potatoes, sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, or whatever else you needed; no one ever left hungry from her home. Her other hobbies included planting and raising tomato plants and various flowers and having an overall appreciation for the wildlife in the countryside where she lived; she was the hummingbird whisperer, and no hummingbird went home hungry either. There was no greater fan of the STL Cardinals; she never missed a game. A master conversationalist, she was known to say what she thought with no filter, especially with her son-in-law, Darin, with whom she enjoyed many Saturday morning coffee debates and deadpans. She loved to reminisce about her days in Booneville, adventures with her siblings (i.e. the haunting at Deer Park), and various misadventures she had gotten herself or others into. Margie kept every day interesting. She was truly a kind, down-to-earth soul who was always thinking of and putting the needs of others before her own. She will be sorely missed and has left an impression on those she touched to last a lifetime.
Margie is survived by her daughter, Susan Scott and husband, Darin, of Leslie, MO; her adopted daughter Stacey Kelley of Sullivan, MO; her adopted sons Steve Tiefenbrunn and wife, Deanna, of Gerald, MO, and Bill Jordan of Draffenville, KY; her granddaughter Deidra West and husband, Chris, of Sullivan, MO; her adopted grandsons Nathaniel Edwards and fiancée, Meek Phoorat, of Springfield, MO, Andrew Tiefenbrunn of Springfield, MO, and Logan Tiefenbrunn of Gerald, MO; adopted granddaughters Kaylla, Emily, and Kyah Tiefenbrunn of Gerald, MO; one brother, Roger Gilpin, of Columbia, MO; two sisters, Linda Brown, and Brenda Snider and husband, Marvin, of Booneville, MO; nephews Mike Gilpin and wife, Patty, of Hartsburg, MO, and Raymond Gilpin and wife, Carol, of Columbia, MO. Margie was known as “Marg” by her son-in-law, Darin. She was “Geema” to her granddaughter, Deidra and husband, Chris; “Geema” derived from young Deidra’s inability to say grandma. To her adopted children and grandchildren, she was “MJ.” Her nephews, Mike and Raymond, viewed her as a second mom and unable to pronounce Aunt Margie when little, called her “Daddy Jo;” daddy due to her being on their father’s side.
Cremation services have taken place. Given cause of death and to honor Margie’s memory, there will be a private family burial of her remains. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at a later date. Margie would have wanted everyone to stay safe and reduce the risk of infection.
All arrangements were under the care of Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO. Memorials may be made to Cave Springs Cemetery,
The greatest gift you can give the family is to honor Margie’s memory. Respect COVID-19 as a threat and do your due diligence to protect yourself and others. Be nice to one another and take care of each other during this trying time. Brighter days lie ahead.