Faye Culver Thurston

She was born in Montgomery, Alabama on January 12, 1943 to Dr. Sylvan Dekalb Culver and Lucile Cory Culver. She attended Auburn schools from first grade through college, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Auburn University in 1964. Faye served as Women’s Student Government President, Vice President of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and President of the School of Home Economics. Due to her outstanding work ethic and accomplishments, Faye was chosen for honoraries Phi Kappa Phi, Cwens, Omicron Nu and Mortar Board. She was a diehard AU football fan her entire life. War Eagle!

The day after college graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Harry. As newlyweds, they spent two years in Auburn before they ditched his Crown Victoria and headed west in a 1966 green Mercury Comet Caliente with their cat Mimo in the back seat. They spent eight years in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, then 33 years in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, where they raised two daughters. After many years of being a stay-at-home mom, Faye pursued a career with the United States Postal Service.

Faye was known for her cheerful, energetic personality and, even in her final days, always filled the room with laughter. In her youth, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family during many parties at the Culver house, whether celebrating birthdays or gathering around the radio to cheer on the Little League team. She cherished her lifelong friendships and looked forward to annual Auburn girls’ trips, even into her 70s. For more than 40 years, she played bridge with the same wonderful group of Charlotte friends. More recently, it was the casual sidewalk chats with her Lake Carolina friends that brought her so much joy.

Adventurous by nature, Faye loved to travel. From experiencing remote Mexican towns via sweltering hot buses with chickens as fellow passengers, to whale watching in beautiful Alaska, she was up for anything. She spent many weekends camping with Harry and her girls, admiring the rhododendrons on the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking with her Cocker, Pebbles. Faye loved playing tennis, antiquing, gardening, waterskiing and fishing with her dad. She never met a Cocker Spaniel, sudoko puzzle or Elvis song she didn’t like.

She is survived by her doting husband of 59 years, William Harry Thurston, affectionally known as “HarHar”. He tended to her every need during her decline with Alzheimer’s disease, telling her stories to make her laugh and taking her for scenic drives. He never left her side. She is also survived by her much-loved and appreciated daughters, sons-in-law and grandsons: Christianne and Mike Moyers and Trey Hodges; Shauna and Jason Bettinger, and Owen and Lucas; and her cats, Shadow and Bandit. She was preceded in death by her sister, Gene Culver Beck.

In keeping with Faye’s wishes there will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society, or drop off pet supplies at your local animal shelter.