Crystal Gail Thurston

Crystal Gail Rea Thurston, 75, formerly of Crozet, Va., passed away peacefully awaiting the open arms of Jesus Christ to embrace her while residing at Blackstone Heritage Hall in Blackstone, Va., with Sharon and Tommy at her bedside. She was the daughter of the late Charles Noland Rea and Edna Fisher Rea. She was preceded in death by her husband, David “Sonny” W. Thurston; daughter, Teresa Lynne Thurston Fugett of Crozet; siblings, Elizabeth Rea Pugh, Charles Rea, Jr., Ernest Rea, and Harry Rea all of Baltimore, Md.; and great granddaughter, Brittany Hodges of Afton, Va. Crystal is survived by her daughters, Sharon Thurston Middleton and her husband, Tommy of Crozet, Va., and Judy D. Thurston and her husband, Clifford W. Pannell of Afton, Va. She also leaves behind grandchildren, David M. Middleton and girlfriend, Heather, Michelle Hodges and husband, Michael of Afton, Va., Tommy Middleton, Jr. of Virginia Beach, Va., Leslie D. Thurston of Stuarts Draft, Va., William Jr., Jessica, and Shannon Fugett. She will also be missed by her great grandchildren, Katie Middleton of Amherst, Va., Erica and Ian of Afton, Va., Dylan and Colby Dunnivan of Stuarts Draft, Va.; and her step great grandchildren, Jay and Travis Shifflett. Crystal did not need many things in her life that made her happy. You could find her with a good hot cup of coffee in hand ready to go shopping. All the while in jeans, sweatshirts, and tennis shoes. She had the total gift of “gab” as talking made her smile. She also had a real passion for crafts and created many gifts for people until she became diagnosed with mental illness and the crippling effects of Alzheimer’s which continued to take away her abilities to know family, people, and perform everyday living skills. Special acknowledgement goes to Ashley Austin her nurse that went above and beyond her nursing requirements. In Crystal’s honor please support the research to help find a cure for mental illness and Alzheimer’s with donations to any of the above locations. Mom – we love you and will deeply miss you. Love, your daughters.