Amanda Evelyn Gordon
1925-02-24 2016-04-30
Mrs. Amanda Evelyn (Thruston) Gordon, the beloved only daughter ofthe late Samuel and Georgia Thruston, was born on February 24, 1925 in Owensboro, Kentucky, where she grew up with her two brothers, Felix Thruston (deceased) and Edsel (Sallie) Thruston.
On February 18, 1950, she was joined in holy matrimony with Reverend Richard W. Gordon - a union that lasted 66 years - and together they raised two beautiful children, Adrian (Carolyn) Smiley and Thaya (Edward) Morant.
A career-long educator, Mrs. Gordon earned her Bachelor of Science in 1967 from Middle Tennessee State University and went on to enjoy 24 years ofteaching within the Rutherford County School System. As former First Lady and dedicated member of First Baptist Church, she served faithfully as a member of the Ardent Workers and Circle No. 2 Mission groups and taught many years for the congregation's Sunday and Vacation Bible Schools. Mrs. Gordon also was an active member ofthe First Baptist Usher Board, where she stood on post every fifth Sunday.
In addition to her church activities, Mrs. Gordon was an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter and Venus Chapter No. 61 of the Order of the Eastern Star, for which she served in many capacities throughout the years. In addition to these, she also was a member of several other civic organizations during her lifetime and served in many leadership roles. Mrs. Gordon has been honored with numerous awards for her contributions to education and volunteer work, to name are few: Jerry Anderson Heroism Award in Recognition of Community Involvement and Dedication to Human Development, Holloway High School Alumni Association - Outstanding Educator, the Trail Blazer Award, presented for hard work and commitment to education, Middle Tennessee State University African - American History Month Unity Award, and Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteer Service from the Tennessee Association for Family and Community Education. Mrs. Gordon also has been recognized as Delta Dear of the Year by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter, as well as receiving the organization's award for Outstanding Service. Her most recent recognition was on March 16, by the First Baptist Women's Ministry for her commitment, leadership and dedicated service as a member of the congregation.
Mrs. Gordon, whose infectious smile and easy laughter could light entire rooms, was well-loved and adored by many and she was known as a quiet woman with a sweet spirit who exhibited poise and grace everywhere she went. Mrs. Gordon was a true matriarch who valued service to God, family and community, boasting often of a rich legacy that includes eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and an abundance of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
To God, she was a good and faithful servant; to her family, she was an adored treasure, a strong woman of faith who brought sunshine to every life she touched; to the greater community of Murfreesboro and beyond, she was a living testament to the beauty and peace that comes with living a Godly life through an abundance of love for and service to others. She will be greatly missed, but her spirit will live on within the many lives she touched.
Amanda Evelyn Thruston-Gordon died on Saturday, April 30, 2016. Her home-going celebration will be held on Friday, May 6, 2016, 6:30p.m. at First Baptist Church, 738 East Castle Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Pastor James McCarroll will preside. The body will lie in state from 3:00 p.m. until the service. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to New Generation Funeral Home, 2930 Murfreesboro Pike, Antioch, TN 37013
On February 18, 1950, she was joined in holy matrimony with Reverend Richard W. Gordon - a union that lasted 66 years - and together they raised two beautiful children, Adrian (Carolyn) Smiley and Thaya (Edward) Morant.
A career-long educator, Mrs. Gordon earned her Bachelor of Science in 1967 from Middle Tennessee State University and went on to enjoy 24 years ofteaching within the Rutherford County School System. As former First Lady and dedicated member of First Baptist Church, she served faithfully as a member of the Ardent Workers and Circle No. 2 Mission groups and taught many years for the congregation's Sunday and Vacation Bible Schools. Mrs. Gordon also was an active member ofthe First Baptist Usher Board, where she stood on post every fifth Sunday.
In addition to her church activities, Mrs. Gordon was an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter and Venus Chapter No. 61 of the Order of the Eastern Star, for which she served in many capacities throughout the years. In addition to these, she also was a member of several other civic organizations during her lifetime and served in many leadership roles. Mrs. Gordon has been honored with numerous awards for her contributions to education and volunteer work, to name are few: Jerry Anderson Heroism Award in Recognition of Community Involvement and Dedication to Human Development, Holloway High School Alumni Association - Outstanding Educator, the Trail Blazer Award, presented for hard work and commitment to education, Middle Tennessee State University African - American History Month Unity Award, and Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteer Service from the Tennessee Association for Family and Community Education. Mrs. Gordon also has been recognized as Delta Dear of the Year by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter, as well as receiving the organization's award for Outstanding Service. Her most recent recognition was on March 16, by the First Baptist Women's Ministry for her commitment, leadership and dedicated service as a member of the congregation.
Mrs. Gordon, whose infectious smile and easy laughter could light entire rooms, was well-loved and adored by many and she was known as a quiet woman with a sweet spirit who exhibited poise and grace everywhere she went. Mrs. Gordon was a true matriarch who valued service to God, family and community, boasting often of a rich legacy that includes eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and an abundance of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
To God, she was a good and faithful servant; to her family, she was an adored treasure, a strong woman of faith who brought sunshine to every life she touched; to the greater community of Murfreesboro and beyond, she was a living testament to the beauty and peace that comes with living a Godly life through an abundance of love for and service to others. She will be greatly missed, but her spirit will live on within the many lives she touched.
Amanda Evelyn Thruston-Gordon died on Saturday, April 30, 2016. Her home-going celebration will be held on Friday, May 6, 2016, 6:30p.m. at First Baptist Church, 738 East Castle Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Pastor James McCarroll will preside. The body will lie in state from 3:00 p.m. until the service. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to New Generation Funeral Home, 2930 Murfreesboro Pike, Antioch, TN 37013