Zelma Marie (Murray) Thomasson

Mrs. Zelma Marie Murray Thomasson, 90, of 2320 41st St. Wilmington (formerly of Clinton) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at The Commons at Brightmore in Wilmington, NC.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 23rd at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Clinton, 408 College St., with Dr. Ron Cava and Rev. Jean Hatch officiating.  Burial will follow in the Clinton Cemetery.

Born in 1926, in Bladen County, Zelma was the daughter of the late Finnie Ardrey and Lula Rooks Murray and widow of Mr. Walter James Thomasson, Jr. (2007).   Upon graduating high school, she attended Meredith College, majoring in Home Economics. She obtained a teaching certificate, as well as earning a master’s degree in History from East Carolina University; and later earned another master’s degree in Library Science. She was a school teacher for many years, and retired from Sampson Community College as an Associate Dean for the Learning Resources Department.   She was a member of First Baptist Church where she was a former member of the Board of Deacons and a Sunday School Teacher for a majority of her life. She was a pillar of the church, had a strong work ethic, zest for life and a deep love for her family, students and friends.  

Zelma is survived by her daughter, Jeanne-Marie Thomasson & husband, Peter Toy of Atlanta, Georgia; her son, James (Jim) Thomasson & wife, Nancy of Timberlake, NC; two sisters: Helen M. Bordeaux & husband, Hubert of Wilmington and Norma Swann & husband, Clyde of Burgaw; a brother, Dr. Finnie Ardrey Murray & wife, Deb of Asheville; four grandchildren: Daniel Thomasson & wife, Amber of York, SC; David Thomasson & wife, Kerrie of York, SC; Caroline Toy of Columbus, OH;  and Geoffrey Toy & wife, Caroline Crowell of Atlanta.  She was also blessed with three great-granddaughters: Kylie, Taylor Mae and Paige and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by one sister, Elizabeth (Lib) Harmon and a brother, Carl Elwood Murray.

Visitation will be held prior to the service on Friday afternoon, beginning at 1 pm in the church sanctuary. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church Senior Ministry, 408 College St., Clinton, NC 28328; or to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC in Zelma Thomasson’s Honor by mailing contributions to: 1924 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604 (Attn: Accounting); or by visiting their website: www.foodbankcenc.org.   

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Thomasson family.