Hattie Mae Thornton

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Oct. 29, 1940 – July 27, 2017

STAMPLEY — Services for Hattie Mae Thornton, 86, who died Thursday, July 27, 2017, will be 11 a.m. today at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Stampley.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Ms. Thornton was born Oct. 29, 1940, in Fayette, the daughter of Weston “Papa Peter” Tenner and Katie Tenner.

She attended Liddell High School in Fayette. She worked as a carhop where she met and soon married her husband, James Thornton Sr. They were married Oct. 27, 1958, and remained married for 52 years until his death.

Hattie was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church for more than 30 years. She served as a member of the choir and the usher board. When she wasn’t giving service to the Lord, Hattie enjoyed fishing, gardening and cooking. She also expressed her enthusiasm for fashion as a model, beautician, nail technician and custom hat designer.

Hattie was an independent, driven and fierce woman. She let nothing and no one stand in her way. Through her mothering spirit, Hattie made sure she passed down her many gifts and talents to anyone who walked through her door.

She was preceded in death by her husband; six siblings, Wendell, James, Michael, Eddie, Emma Lee and Jesse Lee.

Survivors include four children, James Thornton Jr. and wife, Taunna, Carolyn Thornton, Curtis Thornton and wife, Bridget, and Tony Thornton; three brothers; three sisters; 21 grandchildren