Graveside services will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Pearl.
Roy was born July 2, 1933, in Pace, Mississippi. He was one of eleven children born to the late Harvey D. Thornton and Molly Morgan Thornton.
He married his high school sweetheart, Frances, and they were blessed with six daughters. The family settled in Pearl where they raised their children. Roy worked as an equipment mechanic and technician for John Deere, retiring after more than forty years of service. He was a member of Crossgates Baptist Church. In his free time Roy enjoyed working in his yard, tending his veggie and flower gardens.
Perhaps Roy will best be remembered for his benevolent manner and philanthropic spirit. Affectionately known as the “watchman” of his Harle Circle neighborhood, Roy could be counted on to help his friends. Countless times neighbors returned home to find their lawn had been mowed or some project completed, as Roy pitched in whenever he could. Whether sending a winter to coat to a homeless gentleman he heard about or taking bottled water to the men on the garbage truck in the hot summer months, Roy’s generosity and heart for service to others was evident in all he did.
In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Frances Kelly Thornton, in June 2020, and by his daughter, Lisa Jenkins, and great-grandchild, Van Williamson.
Survivors include daughters, Brenda Bankston, Sue Samudio (Philip), Debbie Rawls (Frank), Polly Williamson (David), and Pam Scarborough (Steve); 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sookie Noblin, and Christine Mitchell (Harold); and brother, Francis Thornton (Ann).
