Thurston Wade

Thurston Wade, 84, of Normangee passed away Wednesday, February 19, at Madison St. Joseph. Graveside services were held Sunday, February 23, at 2 pm in the Ten Mile Cemetery. Bro. Ricky Smith presided over the service.

Thurston B. “Shorty” Wade was born in Cherokee County, TX to his parents Hardy and Bammer (Birdwell) Wade on December 19, 1929. Thurston was a very hard worker and a skilled carpenter. He could build houses, etc. from the ground up. He especially enjoyed the challenge of making beautiful, functional cabinets and drawers. His wife always said that if a roach got in the drawers or cabinets she could get it, because there were no seams for it to escape. She couldn’t tolerate roaches. Shorty was a very productive gardener. He really enjoyed his garden. He loved his cows and the land he worked hard to purchase. He lived very frugally to get it paid for on an hourly salary. Thurston was always very healthy till the Alzheimer’s besieged him. He got mean and uncontrollable and was moved to the nursing home in December 2002. This was a good thing; the Lord had his workers there. These lovely faithful, wonderful people who ministered to him changed him. He got saved. He was born again and all the hostility was gone. Like the thief on the cross he was saved by the “skin of his teeth”. Thank God for his wonderful, Amazing Grace.

Thurston “Shorty” was preceded in death by both of his parents Hardy and Bammer Wade; his wife Jacquita Wade; two brothers Billy Wade and Aubrey “Red” Wade; and a sister Nora Button.

Survivors include a son Marty Wade of Austin; a daughter Shirley Bonds and husband Melvin of Normangee; two brothers Hardy Codell Wade and Riley “Doodle” Wade; and a sister La Merl McGeehee.