Shanna Elain Thurman

In Loving Memory of Shanna Elain Thurman

Shanna Elain Thurman, 72, of Portales, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026. She was born on May 12, 1954, in Pampa, Texas. While Portales was home for most of her life, a special piece of her heart always belonged to Matador, Texas, where much of her family lived and a place she lovingly referred to as “home.”

Shanna devoted much of her life to caring for those she loved. Although she worked various jobs throughout the years, her greatest joy came from being a homemaker and taking care of the people around her. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel welcome, loved, and accepted. She wasn’t just a mother to her own daughters—she became a second mom to countless others and a loyal friend to anyone fortunate enough to know her.

She found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. She loved spending time with family and friends, reading a good book, working crossword puzzles, and listening to music. Her favorite artist, Gary Allan, held a special place in her heart, and whenever he performed nearby, she was there, creating memories that always left her smiling.

Anyone who knew Shanna knew that her kitchen was filled with love. She was an incredible cook, and her famous banana pudding became a favorite that family and friends will never forget. Meals at her table were about much more than food—they were about laughter, stories, and making everyone feel like they belonged.

Shanna will be remembered for her generous heart, quick wit, and unwavering love for others. She would give the shirt off her back to help someone in need without ever expecting anything in return. She was wonderfully funny, fiercely loyal, and undeniably stubborn—a quality that those who loved her wouldn’t have changed for the world. Her strength, compassion, and ability to make people feel cared for are gifts that will continue to live on in the lives she touched.

She is survived by her daughters, Kylie Nelson and husband Jonathan Nelson, and Amanda Kiker and fiancée Christopher Flen; her cherished grandchildren, Madilynn Lopez, Avery Nelson, Caroline Nelson, and Dakota Flen; and her beloved cousins, Pat Smith and Seven Alexander, along with many extended family members and dear friends who loved her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lounell Smith; her father, Alva Carrol “Joe” Holland; her brothers, Greg Holland and Joe Holland; her sister, Sheila Holland; and her longtime partner, Roy Kiker.

To know Shanna was to know kindness, laughter, and unconditional love. She leaves behind a legacy not measured by accomplishments or possessions, but by the countless lives she touched through her generosity, friendship, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. Her family finds comfort in knowing that while her presence will be deeply missed, her love will continue to live on in every shared meal, every favorite song, every act of kindness, and every story told in her memory. She will be missed beyond words and loved forever.