Gloria “Tizzy” Thurston Earl
1931 -2024

Our Mom, Gloria “Tizzy” Thurston Earl died peacefully in Logan on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. She was 92 years old. She was born to Oliver Follett Thurston and Wilda Harris Thurston on September 27, 1931, in Hyde Park, Utah. She was the second of four children. She had two brothers, LaMar and Terry Thurston, both deceased. She was delighted when a little sister, Shirlene, was born. She was always proud of her Hyde Park heritage.

As a young girl, Mom spent many days tromping hay, trying to avoid the teasing of her older brother as he threw snakes on the wagon. He gave her the nickname “Tizzy” which she was still known by and had on her license plate.

Mom attended Hyde Park Elementary, Smithfield Junior High and graduated from North Cache High School. She was involved in student government and remained good friends with her Class of ’49 classmates for nearly 70 years. She met Don Earl while working as a waitress during her senior year of high school. She said, “He drove a 1948 Plymouth two-door coupe and gave her a fifty-cent tip on a five-cent drink, and the rest is history.”  They were married on October 14, 1949, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Dad and Mom moved to River Heights in 1952, where they raised their five children, Shari, Craig, Joni, Cyndi, and Lori, while cultivating many close friendships during their 43 years there. Mom loved sharing and was famous for her cinnamon rolls. She was active in Civic Club, Lady Lions, and PTA. She was a lifelong member of the Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints    and involved with many church callings.

Once all the children were in school, Mom decided to go to beauty school and graduated from Hollywood Beauty School. She had a beauty shop in her home for many years and made many more close friendships. At the age of 50, Mom decided to go to college. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Utah State and LDS Institute in 1985. She then worked at USU in financial aid and scholarship until her retirement.

Mom could talk Dad into almost anything. They built a new home at the top of Mountain Road in Logan and lived there for ten years. She didn’t have to talk too hard to convince him to buy a second home in St. George, and they both grew to love the warm winters spent in Southern Utah.

In 2005, they moved to Smithfield to a senior living community. Dad passed away in May 2009. After his passing, she served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Family History Center in Salt Lake City. In 2019, Mom moved to Towne Center Villas in North Logan. In each place that she lived, she formed lasting friendships. Her last home was at Maple Springs Assisted Living for six months.

Join Gloria's family and friends to honor her memory by contributing to the Don and Gloria Earl Scholarship Endowment at Utah State University.  Your donation will honor Gloria's legacy by supporting undergraduate re-entry students, inspiring, and motivating them to excel as they pursue their degrees.