Thirlen Osborne, age 97, died Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Carillon Assisted Living. Thirlen, the son of the late Millard Fillmore and Eddie May Osborne, was born and raised in Winchester, Ky. where he went to elementary and high school. During his high school days he was active in musical programs. He was a member of the Kentucky All-State High School chorus and represented the high school in the tenor solo division, receiving high honors.

Thirlen received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he was a member of the Wesleyan Singers, the male quartet, and the all-state college chorus. He continued his education at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, where he received the Master of Arts degree. He continued in his studies on the doctoral level at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, focusing on the Renaissance and the 19th century periods of English literature.

His teaching career began at Winchester High School. He taught reading, spelling, and english grammar in the seventh and eighth grades. He taught high school English later in Texas, Indiana, and Kentucky before he began his teaching career at Gardner-Webb University. In addition to his teaching, he also served as a sponsor for the Future Teachers of America and as faculty advisor to the staff of Reflections, the school's literary magazine. He also served on a statewide committee to judge composition contests.

Thirlen was very active in the Boiling Springs Baptist church, where he served as a deacon, member of the church choir, Sunday school teacher, member of the music and evangelism committees, and representative to the Kings Mountain Baptist Association. Thirlen was a dedicated visitor to church members in hospitals, rest homes, and shut-ins.

Thirlen was preceded in death by his wife, Sophie. Thirlen and Sophie shared lives as teachers for 59 years.

Thirlen was an avid reader in literature in all its forms and enjoyed attending operas. He retired from Gardner-Webb in 1987 as a professor emeritus of English.

A memorial service will be held at Boiling Springs Baptist church conducted by the pastor, Keith McKinney, Carroll Page (former pastor), Ottis Osborne (nephew), and Bob Blanton (soloist). The service will be on Thursday, November 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends before the service in the church sanctuary. Burial will take place at Winchester Cemetery in Winchester, Ky in the near future.

Memorials may be make to Boiling Springs Baptist Church, Mission Fund, PO Box 917, Boiling Springs, NC 28017 or Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Thirlen Osborne.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilburtonfuneralhome.com.