Retired Clarkesville educator begins new chapter as children's author at 82 - Now Georgia

Brenda Thurmond, an 82-year-old educator from Clarkesville, Georgia, is beginning a new chapter as a published children’s author after more than 45 years serving children and families. She will celebrate the release of three children’s books with a signing from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the fellowship hall at Clarkesville Baptist Church. The featured titles are Liora, The Littlest Angel; The Christmas Cup; and Ruby Mae’s Christmas Gift. Inspired by Christmas programs originally written for her church, the illustrated stories reflect Thurmond’s Christian faith and her focus on kindness, generosity, and helping others. She returned to college at 50 to complete her teaching degree and later faced breast cancer at 75, becoming a survivor. The event is open to the community.