Frances was born November 11, 1935, in Pace, Mississippi, and a daughter to the late Mitchell Kelly and Clara (Polly) Hawkins Kelly. She was a member of McLaurin Heights United Methodist Church. She spent over 40 years of office management in the medical field.
Frances was a people person who loved children. When she would see a child, she would stop and brighten their day with a sweet, light-hearted chat. Her home was always open to her grandchildren’s friends - she was everyone’s Mamaw. She also enjoyed shopping, especially to add to her collection of purses and shoes.
Frances was very devoted to her own children and grandchildren. Their fondest memories include savoring some of her delicious roast and cornbread and playing cards together. The flavorful meals she prepared and all the stories they swapped over games cannot be replicated by any other. Family is something Frances held dearly.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Jenkins and sister, Kitty Mullen.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Roy M. Thornton; her daughters, Brenda Bankston, Sue Samudio (Philip), Debbie Rawls (Frank), Polly Williamson (David), and Pam Scarborough (Steve), 14 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 9:00am until 11:00am, Monday, June 22, 2020, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am in the funeral home chapel with interment in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.
Frances treasured her time with her family and friends and will be deeply missed.
