T. Thornton,

Amory – Thomas Sherman Thornton, Sr., 73, died on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at his residence. Born on October 1, 1937, in Amory, he was a son of the late Garfus Sherman and Letha Doris Hollingsworth Thornton.
Sherman was a graduate of Hatley High School, Class of 1956. He honorably served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. After returning home, he attended IJC and graduated from Mississippi State University. His career began at Amory Electric Service and he worked for twenty-one years with Amory Marine. In June 1981, he opened Sherm’s Marine. Sherman was a member of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church. A gentle, loving and kind husband, father and grandfather, he was passionate about farming, being outdoors and watching deer and turkeys. He was a member of the Evening Coffee Club at McDonald’s, Ducks Unlimited and the Wild Turkey Federation. A collector of old cars, he was a former member of the Car Club. He cherished the time spent with his grandchildren. Loving to laugh, he enjoyed hunting, listening to Gospel, Country and Bluegrass music, and had played in the Old Fashioned Jug Band.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mavis Patricia “Pat” Johnson Thornton, Amory; daughter, Susan T. (Louis) Hathcote, Amory; sons, Tommy Thornton, Amory and Michael (Linda) Thornton, Petal; grandchildren, Olivia, Shelby, Claire and Katelyn Thornton; great-grandchildren, Eli, Will, Lillie Kate Hathcote; Andrew and Brady Houston; and Jolie and Graham Bishop; step-grandchildren, John (Heather) Hathcote, Smithville, Jamie (Chad) Houston, Amory, and Mary (Chad) Bishop, Amory; nieces and nephews, Teb (Coleen) Thornton, Jim (Charlena) Thornton, Ashley Johnson (Ben) Clinger, Mark (Amy) Johnson, Jonathan (Kim) Johnson, Elizabeth (Chip) Henley, Warren (Melissa) Johnson; sister-in-law, Betty Rooker Thornton, Fulton; and brothers-in-law, Bill (Bettie) Johnson, Valrico, FL, Dwight (Hilda) Johnson, Amory, and Paul (Judy) Johnson, Hollandale. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only brother, Dr. William T. Thornton.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4 PM, Sunday, May 29 at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory with Rev. Tim Sisk officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Steve Palmer, Thomas Griffith, John Hathcote, Bill Johnson, Paul Johnson and Dwight Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Sonny Loden, Bill Ray Morrison, Phil Durbin, Bill Griffith, and the Evening Coffee Club at McDonald’s.
Memorials may be given to St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 1123 Veterans Legion Drive, Amory, MS 38821 or to the New Hope Cemetery Fund, c/o Linda Worthey, 60023 Worthey Lane, Amory, MS 38821.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.