Thurman Jefferson Roach, 82, of Hayesville passed away Friday, March 9, 2018 in a Murphy care facility. He was a native of Clay County, but had lived in Doraville, Georgia before retiring to Hayesville in 2005. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Army as a paratrooper. Thurman worked as a truck driver. He also had served as a member of the Doraville, Georgia City Council. Thurman was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. He was a member of the Woods Grove Baptist Church.

He was the son of the late Van B. and Hattie Leatherwood Roach and the husband of the late Lois Chance Roach, who died July 6, 2010. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Robert “Bob’ Roach and Virgil Roach; and three sisters, Iva Martin, Estella Patterson, and Jessie Coffey.

Surviving are three sons, Kent Roach of Hayesville, Mark Roach and wife, Mary Beth of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Kirk Roach and wife, Carrie of Cumming, Georgia; a sister, Rebecca Dills and husband Frank Jr. of Hayesville; two brothers, Dan Roach and wife, Clara of Robbinsville and Samuel Roach of Hayesville; five grandchildren, Brandon, Casey, Patrick, Morgan, and Curtis Roach; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 13, 2018 in the Woods Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Scot Sims officiating. The interment was in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Hayesville VFW Post 6812, American Legion Post 532, Murphy DAV Chapter 73, and American Legion Post 96. Pallbearers were Curtis, Patrick, and Brandon Roach, and Scott Neal.

The family received friends from 10-11:45 Tuesday morning at the Woods Grove Baptist Church prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Thurman Jefferson Roach to the Woods Grove Cemetery Fund, c/o Jamie Evans, 2135 Chicken Pit Road, Young Harris, GA 30582.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.