Mary Lou Thornton

Mary Louella (Lou) Thornton, 88, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on December 1, 2016. She was born August 8, 1928, in San Diego, CA. Her parents were Emma and Daniel Tony Long. She grew up on a ranch near Grand Valley, CO, and graduated from Grand Valley High School.

Mary Lou was married to Truman Barks. They divorced, and she then married the love of her life, Louie Thornton, in 1962.

She is survived by her sons, Jack (Marita) Barks and Dan (Mary) Barks; daughter, Gayle (Dave) Cox; step-son, Randall Thornton; and step-daughters, Cindy Freeman, Pamela Mills, Loretta Catt, and Marlene Fender. She is also survived by her brother, Ralph (Barb) Long; sister, Alberta Sandelin; half-brother, Dean (Mary Jane) Hangs; 26 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by her son, Gary Wayne Barks, and by both husbands.

She was a school bus driver for over 30 years in Colorado and Arizona. She took great pride in her safe school bus driving.

She was totally dedicated to her loving family from her children to her great-great-grandchildren. She loved laughter and telling a good, somewhat clean, joke! She was independent and lived a full and rewarding life.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m with funeral services starting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. Burial will follow at Orchard Mesa Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.