Paula Thurmond

Paula received her Angel wings on April 16, 2021 and was welcomed into Heaven.  Paula was born on April 5, 1978 in Fresno, CA. and grew up in Visalia and Exeter, CA.  She was the third of 8 children of Dr. Ronald and Ramona Beggs.  She attended George McCann Catholic School from Kindergarten through 8th Grade and then went on to graduate from Golden West High School.  Following high school she attended the College of the Sequoias in Visalia for 2 years before transferring to San Diego State University.  Her next venture was to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing in Los Angeles, which led to a career as a merchandizer for Volcom and later O’Neill. 

Growing up, Paula was always incredibly athletic.  She loved to snow ski and play volleyball, but her favorite sport was soccer and she played with all the passion of any athlete.  Later when she was living in Oceanside, she turned to surfing as well.

While living in Oceanside, she met the love of her life, Brian Thurmond and they married on May 17, 2013.  Together they opened a Cross-Fit gym in the area where they both were coaches. On March 4, 2014, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Pierce Alan, and a new journey as parents began.

In 2017, they moved to Georgia where Brian worked for the Dept. of Defense as a firefighter/paramedic.  Two years later they relocated to Niceville, FL. where Brian continued to work as a firefighter and Paula enjoyed her time being Pierce’s mom and coaching cross fit and nutrition at a local gym.

Paula was always a bubbly, vivacious and energetic person.  Being healthy and physically fit was a big focus for her. She was also very gifted with creative talents and enjoyed a variety of craft projects.  Following her diagnosis of breast cancer she was determined that she could beat it and get a miracle.  Sadly that was not to  be and we all lost a very special person in our lives.

Paula was preceded in death by her 4 year old nephew, Christopher.  She is survived by her husband, Brian Thurmond and her 7 year old son, Pierce, as well as her parents, Dr. Ronald and Ramona Beggs.  Her surviving siblings include: Michele (Roby Kettle) of Amarillo Texas and daughters, Elizabethann, Rachel , and Rebecca; Michael (Tiffany) Beggs of Visalia and their children, Tristin, Evan, Ashlyn and Madilyn; Patrick (Sherri) Beggs of Clovis. CA and their sons, Liam and Brady; Maria (Aaron) Ware of Stockton, CA.; Jenelle Beggs and daughter, Marleigh of Visalia, CA; Matthew and Erin Beggs, and their daughter, Claire; and Jamison Beggs of Las Vegas, NV.

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