Jan was born in Port Arthur, TX on June 12, 1945, to J.B. and Margaret Jordan. Upon graduating from Hudson High School in Lufkin, TX she attended Stephen F. Austin State University and went on to finish her college education later in life at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. At NSU, she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi (National Honor Society for Colleges and Universities). While at NSU, she was awarded the Louisiana Tax scholarship and the Northwestern Alumni
scholarship. Graduating with a degree in social work, Jan became a licensed social worker and enjoyed working with patients and their families at nursing homes/care centers in Louisiana and Texas.
Jan was a member of the A.G. Bell Association for the Deaf, (IPO) and was an active advocate for parents of deaf children, accomplishing the placement of telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD/TTYs) at all emergency locations in DeRidder, LA. It was a proud and happy occasion for Jan when the Thurman family was awarded "The Family Achievement Award" at the 1990 Governor's Disability's Conference. Jan was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and amazing piano
talent. One of her great joys was singing for ten years with the nursing home singers in Beauregard Parish. Jan was a member of Beta Sigma Phi in DeRidder (Iota Theta) and in Lake Charles (Xi Alpha Iota). She also served as Vice President of the Beauregard Memorial Hospital Auxillary and she enjoyed her work and friendships with the Pink Ladies.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry Dean Thurman; parents, J.B. and Margaret Jordan; brothers, James "Juju", Phillip "Phil", Samuel "Sam" Jordan; sister, Margaret "Butch" Burns.
Jan is survived by one daughter, Shannon Thurman Ellis of Conroe, TX; sons Larry "Jason" Thurman (Roxanne) of Austin, TX, Matthew "Wade" Thurman (Cathy) of Frisco, TX and son-in-law Roger Ellis of Moss Bluff, LA; grandchildren Caiti Ellis Landreneau (Ryan), Cassidi Ellis St.Romain
(Thomas), and Corbin Ellis; Drew, Abby, and Major Thurman; Matthew and
Mary Thurman; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Private graveside internment will be at Westlake Memorial Park Cemetery in Westlake, LA
