Thurman Lamar Lybrand

Thurman Lamar Lybrand, long-time resident of Whitesboro community, was the first child born to Delmer and Jessie Lybrand. Thurman left for his eternal home early June 21, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Delmer Lamar Lybrand and Jessie Mae Lybrand, and his first wife and mother of his children, Brenda Kay Lybrand, his second wife, Connie Lybrand, his brother, Alan Lybrand, and his sister Vickie Bolding. Survivors include his daughters and greatest loves and targets of worry in his life, Tonia Taylor (Kelly Taylor) and Melanie Oden (Richard Oden), brothers Bobby Lybrand (Doris) and Larry Lybrand, granddaughters Jeslyn Rose Jenkins (Jay Jenkins), Brynna Kate Oden, and Jolie Faith Taylor. Thurman graduated from Sardis High School. He enjoyed many passions in his life and never did anything half way. If you asked him for help, you got all of him for as long as it took. He loved Jesus and served him in many roles and as a preacher, including a term as a pastor at a Cleveland United Methodist Church in Cleveland, AL. He read the Bible all the way through at least three times. If you are older than 50 and know some karate moves, there’s a good chance he played a role in your development during his time operating a studio in Crossville while he earned a third-degree black belt in taekwondo. It was pretty common knowledge that he was not a man to be trifled with for any reason. His greatest constant love in life was taking care of his girls. While Tonia participated in the Sardis High School Marching Lion Band playing her clarinet and twirling her flag in the 80s, Thurm took on the role of Booster Club President. He also cheered on Melanie’s brief softball career, working with her hitting and fielding skills in the front yard. Tonia and Melanie always enjoyed some epic birthday parties growing up, including one for Tonia at the Boaz pool when he rented the venue and greased a watermelon for the attendees to try and wrestle out of the water and a surprise 16 birthday celebration for Melanie where he meticulously spelled out “Happy Birthday” with Cheese Wiz on Ritz Crackers. Halloween was always a big affair filled with pumpkin carving and ornate costumes. Through the years, he dragged Tonia’s car out the ditch several times and once performed a NASCAR-speed tire change for Melanie on the side of the road while she walked into her college classroom, having it ready to go for her when class ended. Later in life, he enjoyed wood working and could build anything with his hands if given enough time due to his obsession with perfection. He also loved restoring old guns and sorting through classic coins hoping to find that ultra rare one and strike it rich. Thurman fiercely loved his family and friends and always wanted the very best for them all. “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 His Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2025 at Etowah Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until service time. Rev. Alan Hallmark will officiate the service. He will be laid to rest at Red Apple Cemetery Flowers and plants are welcome or please donate in memory of Thurman to St. Jude’s at stjude.org. Arrangements are entrusted to Etowah Memorial Chapel.

Thurman Lamar Lybrand

February 11, 1946 - June 21, 2025