Cora M. McLurkin

Cora Mae McClurkin was born March 26, 1953, in Columbia, South Carolina, the beloved daughter of the late Albert and Lucy Mae Green Thomas.  She departed this earthly life on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of seventy-three.   

Cora was educated in the Kershaw County School District and dedicated more than 20 years of her career to the hospitality industry in Columbia, South Carolina. Through her work, she touched the lives of many with her warm spirit, kindness, and commitment to serving others.

Cora lived a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and love.  She will be remembered for her strength, resilience, caring heart, and unwavering love for her family. She found joy in spending time with her children, grandchildren, and loved ones, creating memories that will be treasured for generations to come. Her kindness, wisdom, and gentle spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

In addition to her parents, Cora was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene McClurkin; her son, Leray Thomas; and her siblings and relatives, Albert Thomas Jr., Ellison Thomas, Minnie Thomas, Hattie Thomas, Linder Thomas, Mattie Burgess, Shirley Roseborough, and Mary Blanding.

Though our hearts are heavy with sorrow, we find comfort in knowing that her legacy of love lives on through the family she cherished so deeply. She will be greatly missed but forever remembered.

Those who are cherishing loving memories are her children, Marvin Thomas, Jamil McClurkin, and Arlucious McClurkin; her sister, Silvan English; and her cherished grandchildren, Tyrell Thomas, Seray Rozier, Bryan Lane, Darius Vanover, Leray Thomas Jr., Camille Hopkins, Tia McClurkin, Dashunda Hayward, Mari Hayward-Thomas, Nickolas Hayward-Thomas, Kamri Hayward-Thomas, Deandre Ball, Sadonte Hunt, Destiny Haynesworth, and Iasia Lorick. She was also blessed with twelve great-grandchildren, along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loving relatives and dear friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.  

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