Christine Thurston

Mother Christine Thurston, 85, passed away on October 11, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mother Christine Thurston was born in Pompano Beach, Florida to Robert Lee Thurston and Sannie Lee Thurston on December 7, 1931. She went to high school at Pompano Beach High School in Pompano Beach, Florida. Christine worked in nutrition services at Holy Cross Hospital for 15 years until her retirement in 1997. Grandma, as she was affectionately called by her many pupils, volunteered in the Foster Grandparent Program at Castle Hill Elementary, Sunland Park Elementary, and Markham Elementary School where she loved conducting reading circles with her students. Christine was intricately involved in serving her precious lord during her tenure at Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Pastor Moses E. Monroe, Sr. for 55 years and serving as a Mother of the church at St. James Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of her beloved son-in-law Reverend Dr. Wylie L. Howard, Sr. and her precious daughter First Lady Celestine Howard. Her entire life was dedicated to the house of the lord serving as the Secretary, an original member of the #2 Choir, and a member of the Pastor’s Aide during her entire tenure. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 27, “The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Mother Christine Thurston was truly a phenomenal woman of God. Mother Christine Thurston is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Lee Thurston and Sannie Lee Thurston, Sister, Juanita Harden, Sister Clara Hillman, Brother-in-Law, George Harden, Brother-in-Law, Jerry Newsome, Brother-in-Law, Elder Hillman, Granddaughter Michelle Demetria Howard, Nephew, Cornell Thorpe, Jr., Niece, Chantelle Thurston, and Niece Moranda Thurston. Mother Christine Thurston is survived by her daughter Celestine Howard (Rev. Dr. Wylie Lee Howard, Sr.) of Lauderhill, Florida, son Michael DeCarlo Thurston of Miami, Florida, sister Bobbie Lee Newsome (Jerry Newsome) of Pompano Beach, Florida, two special grandsons Hezzie Kyow Roberts, Jr. of Fort Lauderdale and Rodney Alexander Howard, Sr. (Attallah Howard) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Grandson, Wylie Lee Howard, Jr. (Linda Howard) of Lauderhill, Florida, Grandson, Michael Thurston, Jr. of Palm Beach, Florida, Grandson, Mark Thurston of Miami, Florida, Grandson Robert Thurston of Miami, Florida, Granddaughter, Kisha Utiva Howard-Rumph (Kelvin Rumph) of Atlanta, Georgia, Great Grands, Kelly Lesane (Nathan LeSane) of Pompano Beach, Florida, Kinya Howard of Pompano Beach, Florida, Amarius Anay Howard of Tallahassee, Florida, Kayla Beasley of Pompano Beach, Florida, Wylie Lee Howard, III of Lauderhill, Florida, Devin Bryce Howard of Lauderhill, Florida, John Nathaniel Howard of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Min. Rodney Alexander Howard, II of Fort Lauderdale, Judah Howard of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nephews Jerome Thurston of Pompano Beach, Florida, Rev. Alphues Byrd of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Nieces Gwen Odom of Boynton Beach, Florida, Sharon Thurston of Pompano Beach, Florida, God Daughters, Naomi Washington, Sis. Eliese Nelson, Sis. Lawanda Pack, and a host of loved family members.

Christine Thurston

December 7, 1931 - October 11, 2017