June Kelley Thornton

COLUMBIA - When the morning sunshine streams through the window it is as if our mother is smiling on us. June Gertrude Kelley Thornton, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother went to be with her Lord on the morning of January 2, 2021. June, of Columbia, South Carolina, lived a full life to age 89 with a smile on her face and a laugh in her heart.

She raised seven children on three continents with the determination one might expect from a military wife. June was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and lived in Oklahoma, Germany, France, Morocco, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, Arizona, and South Carolina.

June’s hallmark was her caring spirit and love for others. As a busy mother June made time for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, dance lessons, swimming lessons, baseball, and the myriad sporting events her children enjoyed. An accomplished seamstress, knitter, and ceramist she received many accolades for her talent and creativity. There were countless occasions where Mom could be found laboring over the sewing machine late into the night to complete a dress, a costume, girls “dress-up” clothes, or doll clothes for her children and grandchildren.

June was a long-time member of various Air Force Officers Wives Clubs and frequently volunteered at church, most recently at Grace United Methodist Church in Columbia, South Carolina where she last worshiped.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, June graduated from Roosevelt High School and worked as secretary for the St. Louis City Fire Chief. She dedicated herself to being a mom while her children grew up. Later she resumed her career as a church secretary and at various companies in the Columbia area, including a real estate office, Hobart, Reliance Electric, and B. L. Montague.

June’s most prominent features were her generous smile and gregarious nature. Always the life of any party, she was often heard sharing fun stories about her children and inter-continental travels. Mom was happiest when the whole family gathered for holidays and vacations. She made sure all thirty something of us had a seat at a table in her townhouse for Christmas dinner. Mom often said that “God must have really loved the Jordan’s because he made so many of them” and she wrote a brief chronicle of each child compiled in a treasured booklet with that title.

June was predeceased by her husband Judge Ruben (Jud) Thornton. She is survived by her seven children David Jordan (Doni) of Columbia, South Carolina, Lisa Parker (Ted) of Snellville, Georgia, Kimberly Hammons (Joseph) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Col. (Ret.) Steven Jordan (Lee Ann) of Smithton, Illinois, MSGT (Ret.) Mark Jordan (Paula) of Columbia, South Carolina, Michael Jordan of Aurora, Colorado, and Major (Ret.) Christopher Jordan (Jennifer) of Williamsburg, Virginia; grandchildren Jordan Parker (Lindsey), Elizabeth Groff (Lynn), Alexandria Abrams (Tyler), William Jordan (Kristen), Clinton Jordan, Lauren Hubert (Corey), Spencer Jordan, Kathleen Jordan, and Wesley Jordan; great grandchildren Mason and Ben Parker, Anna and Christian Groff, and Melissa June Hubert; brothers Thomas Abbott (Jeanne) and Jerry Abbott; and the father of her children Lt. Col. (Ret) Alney Jordan.

June was truly a beautiful woman who loved her family more than herself. She remained steadfast in her Christian faith through all the challenges life threw her way. We are proud to have June as our mother; she helped to create the strong family bonds we share today. We will miss her greatly.

The family would like to thank staff of Heart of Hospice for their attentive care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 1420 K Street, NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC, 20005, or a charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo, SC on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. A private burial service will be held in Bush River Memorial Gardens.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com