Dec. 3, 1939 – June 28, 2024
Francis Lloyd Thornton, a beloved father, Granddaddy and Sunday school teacher, died June 28. He was 84.
A native of Pace, Mississippi, Francis grew up on a farm with his parents and 10 older siblings and spent many of his days on the Bogue, a stream that ran through town. He graduated from Rosedale High School in the famous class of 1957.
On June 2, 1962, he married Ann Fitch, and the next day he graduated from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, with a bachelor’s degree in business.
After that, Francis served in the Mississippi Air National Guard, then worked for more than 50 years as an insurance claims adjuster. He never forgot his farming roots — he grew tomatoes and other crops and raised cows and pigs over the years. He was instrumental in getting a 4-H livestock program started in Coahoma County and supported it for decades. Because of that, he was affectionately known by many in the area as “the pig man.”
For years, Francis was a member of Oakhurst Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and was named a lifetime deacon. He also taught the Fellowship Bible Class, preparing his lessons with care and delivering them like a sermon during the Sunday School hour each week. Because of this and his love for the members of the class, many of them viewed him like one of their pastors. He was passionate about passing his faith on to his family and friends.
Francis is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Mollie Thornton, and nine of his siblings — Dell, Mary, Harvey, Allen, Elizabeth, Gene, Ray, Roy and Milton.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ann; children Terri Horton (Bill), Keith Thornton (Malendia) and Grace Thornton; grandchildren Ben Horton (Liz), Sara Eller (AnDrew), Jessica Melin (Jonathan), Molly Horton, Alan Thornton and Rachel Thornton. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Kyleigh, Addison and Caden Eller; Maila, Judah, Boone and Zeke Melin; Kyzer Thornton; and Charlotte and James Horton; and one sister, Christine Mitchell.
Visitation was July 2 at 10 a.m. at Oakhurst Baptist Church with a celebration of life service following at 11 a.m. Meredith Nowell Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
