Catherine M. Thornton

Catherine Margaret Kelton Thornton was born in the waiting room of her father’s dental office in Charleston, Arkansas on November 7, 1927. Her affection for Hot Springs began in 1929 when her parents moved here in search of greener pastures as the country entered the Great Depression. Settling on Millcreek Road Cut-off (now Kelton Street), Dr. T.W. Kelton opened his office on Broadway Avenue. Catherine attended Oak Street School, an annex to Hot Springs Junior High. She graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1945 after serving as one of two artists on the annual staff and being the only girl in the mechanical drawing class. In the fall of 1945, she enrolled in the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where she took art classes. She later took a course in commercial art from Art Instruction, Inc. From 1948 to 1958, she made maps, sales posters, and other graphic tools in the engineering department of Arkansas Power and Light Company. She married Clyde Thornton in September of 1951, and they raised four daughters. Catherine’s spare time was devoted to freelance artwork including work for the National Park Service. Inspired by a love of Hot Springs and nostalgia for the past, Catherine joined her love of art with her love of local history to create paintings which celebrated the rich history of the Spa City. She is pre deceased by her parents, her husband Clyde, and her eldest daughter, Sandra Thornton. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Thornton Asbury, Patsy Thornton, and Kay Thornton; two granddaughters, Brandi Gillespie (Ronald), Catherine Sexton (Brad); two grandsons, Samuel and Mason; and six great-grandchildren. A celebration of Catherine’s life will be held at her home on Saturday, November 12, 2016 from 1:00 until 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice.