Louise Smith Thornton

April 13, 1923 - May 2, 2015

Mrs. Thornton, 92, died in her home in Columbus, Georgia on May 2nd, 2015.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday, May 5th at Mt. Zion Baptist Church at 11:30AM, with graveside interment at the same. Rev. Derrick Shields of Christ Community Church will officiate, and visitation will occur 1 hour before the service.

Mrs. Thornton was born in Columbus, daughter of the late O.D. and Marie Smith. She grew up in Columbus and then attended Georgia State College for Women (now Georgia College & State University) in Milledgeville, Georgia, where she received her teaching degree. She taught first grade in Columbus before being offered the opportunity to attend Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to become a dental hygienist. After graduation from Temple she worked with the local health department applying fluoride to the school children in Columbus. She also worked as a dental hygienist in Atlanta.

As Founder of the Waiting Wives Club in Columbus, an organization that provided support for wives of Viet Nam soldiers that were deployed, she received the Woman of the Year award in 1969 for her involvement. Louise was also very active on the boards of the Salvation Army and the Valley Rescue Mission.

Throughout her life, she was an active member of her church, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and leading numerous Bible studies at her home. Christ Community Church was one of her favorite because it had so many young people.

An avid gardener who spent many hours cultivating daylilies and fig trees, Louise loved sharing her flowers and plants with anyone who would take them.

Besides her parents she is predeceased by her husband, Jack M. Thornton, daughter, Emma Jean Alberts, grandson, Michael Cope, brothers, Oscar Smith and Bert Smith, and sister, Emma Wilson.

She is survived by son, Jack Thornton (Connie), daughter, Marie Cope (Ron), sister, Jean Alexander, grandchildren, Ben Cope (Angel), Corrie Segars (Van), Curtis Hodge (Brooke), Mathews Thornton, great grandchildren, Emily Cope, Anna Cope, Preston Hodge and Abbie Segars.

Flowers and online condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com