Thelma Duerksen

Thelma Duerksen, 85, of Amarillo, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, December 2, 2023 at First Family Assembly of God Church, 6101 Bell St. with Pastor Billy Nickell officiating. Graveside services will be 3:00 PM Saturday at Odessa Cemetery, east of Cordell, Oklahoma. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM Friday at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.

Thelma was born August 16, 1938 in Butler, Oklahoma to Forrest and Francis Bellah. She attended school in Butler, Oklahoma. She married her husband, Johnny Duerksen, Sr. on June 29, 1956 in Cordell, Oklahoma. Together, they raised five children. The family moved to Texas in 1975. Thelma worked for AISD as a teacher’s assistant in Special Education for almost 20 years, retiring in 2003. Thelma was a talented seamstress; she made several wedding gowns and did alterations. In her spare time, she enjoyed travelling. She made many girls trips to Branson, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and California. She taught youth Sunday school for many years. Thelma was loved by many and she will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Johnny Duerksen, Sr., two brothers, Johnnie Lloyd Bellah and Thurman Bellah; and a sister, Inez Cook.

Survivors include two daughters, Jackie Thomason and husband Jeff Thomason of Amarillo, and Sharon Veazey and husband Rev. John Veazey of Joplin, MO; three sons, Johnny Duerksen, Jr., Scotty Duerksen, and Ben Duerksen all of Amarillo; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials may be made to The Gideon’s International, at www.gideons.org.