Rocky Mount -

Shelby Jean Purvis Thurman, age 74, passed away Thursday evening, November 21, 2019.

Shelby was preceded in death by her parents, Xenophone and Daisy Lee Purvis; husband, Aubrey Allen Thurman; and sisters, Hattie Louise and Alice.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Thurman Keel and her husband, Danny of Rocky Mount; grandchildren, Faith Danielle Ashley and her husband, Sean of Rocky Mount and Shane Keel and his wife, Kahmiyah of Tarboro; great-grandson, Cody Allen Keel; brother, Linwood X. Purvis; along with a host of friends and extended relatives.

Shelby will be remembered with a special memorial service at 7:00 pm, Monday, December 2, 2019 at The Rock Church of Tarboro, 2147 US-64 ALT, Tarboro, NC 27886. Visitation with family and friends will be 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Sunday evening at the home of Faith and Sean Ashley. The family may be contacted for directions.