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THURMOND -- Betty Jane Thurmond, born, April 12, 1924 in Pomona, California, died peacefully in her sleep the morning of Tuesday, October 27, 2009, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 11 years to the day, after her husband Carl Dryer Thurmond died. After growing up in San Francisco, California, marrying on November 5, 1943, attending classes at the University of California, Berkeley and having two children, she and the family moved to New Jersey in 1951 where her husband worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories. While living in the Morristown area, she obtained her Educational degree from Fairleigh Dickenson University and taught Special Education at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and was active in the Fair Housing Council as well as other charitable organizations. In 1981, she and her husband moved to Albuquerque where they could enjoy getting to know their grandchildren. Mrs. Thurmond was active in the Alliance for the Mentally Ill as well as peer counseling for the elderly. Everyone who knew her loved her smile and graciousness. She enjoyed travel and was quick to take such opportunities as long as she could, much to the envy of her friends She is survived by her two children, Trylla Thurmond Esherick of Albuquerque; and her son, Craig Alan Thurmond of Sacramento, California. She also enjoyed being a part of her two granddaughters' lives, Trylla Milena Esherick, of Lafayette, California and Katrina Esherick Belen of Hialeah, Florida. Mrs. Thurmond was just getting to know and enjoy her great-grandchildren, Camila, five, and Samuel, four. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Albuquerque at 6001 Marble NE, Suite 7, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th St, NW, ABQ, 87107. 505-343-8008.
        Published on: Sun November 01, 2009