Murel Stephens Thomason

02/08/2019

Murel Stephens Thomason, 93, of Center, Texas, passed away on February 7, 2019 in Katy, Texas. She was born on April 6, 1925 in Shelby County, Texas to W.O. Bush and Beulah Jetton Bush. Funeral services will be at 1:30 PM on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park. A visitation will be held prior to service time from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. 

Murel grew up in Shelby County in the Mt. Zion Community. She attended Lamar School and Center High School where she met T.O. Stephens. The two fell instantly in love and were married right out of high school in 1942. They had two little girls, Katha and Betsy. The joy of those precious girls multiplied when Katha and Betsy both later married and had four daughters of their own: Yondi, Yanci, Brandi and Ashli. After T.O.’s passing, Murel found comfort and happiness in family and friends. Her entire life she treasured the moments where she was surrounded by her loved ones. Thousands of memories were created over the years and are treasured by her family.

Later in her life, she met and married Charles Thomason. They spent their golden years together traveling and enjoying every moment they were given. Faithfulness to the Lord and to her church family was of the utmost importance. Murel was a member of First Baptist Church in Center for many years where she taught Children’s Sunday School, was a member of Linda Anderson’s Sunday School Class and was a member of the bereavement committee as well. She also was a member of the Golden Harvest Ministry, BPW Club and the CHS Alumni Committee. Murel was no stranger to work as she held positions at Farmers State Bank in the Human Resources Department and worked for James Campbell at Farmers Gas Company for many years. She also worked at the Center Auction Barn. 

MeeMee, as her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her great-great grandchildren would call her, lived a simple and humble life. She had a genuine and selfless heart that was evident in the way she served her family and others. Her love, laughter and light will be dearly missed by those who had the honor of knowing her. 

Murel is survived by:

Daughter, Betsy McDonald and husband, Dan of Katy

Step-children:
Bill Thomason and wife, Debbie
Tommy Thomason

Grandchildren:
Yondi Watson of Center
Yanci Hendricks and husband, Ron of Huxley
Brandi Sikes and husband, Steven of Houston
Ashli Leto and husband, Brian of Austin

Step-grandchildren:
Jill Noel
Jennifer Thomason
Ashley Wilson and husband, Chris

Great-grandchildren: Jade Hogue and husband Todd; Jordan Nutt and Bryan; Jerrod Nutt and wife, Fernanda; Sarah Ryder and husband, Ashton; Hunter Hendricks and Chelsea; Brisa Gawlikowski and Sagan Sikes

Great-great-grandchildren: Kayden, Conner and Cassie Nutt; Copen and Creek Hogue; and Caul Ryder

Special friend, Ann Yarborough

A host of numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, W.O. and Beulah Bush; husbands, T.O. Stephens and Charles Thomason; daughter and son-in-law, Katha and Bill Watson; siblings, Earl Bush, Raleigh Bush, Travis Bush, Vance Bush and Christine Sears; and step-son, Charlie Thomason. 

Pallbearers are Dan McDOnald, Jerrod Nutt, Ron Hendricks, Hunter Hendricks, Kenneth Earl Bush, Bob Bush, Bruce Bush, Don Bush, Claude Lucas, Chad Bourg, Michael Fults, Jimmy Fults and Jordan Fults.

Honorary pallbearers are James Campbell, Pat Cameron, Steve Stephens and Joe Anderson.

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.