Loretta Young Thornhill

Loretta Young Thornhill, 85, of Montgomery, Alabama died September 24, 2026 after a brief illness.

Loretta was known by many names. Mrs. Thornhill to her students, Mom to her children, Mama T to her grands and great grands, Loretta to her friends, and ‘Retta to her husband. Kind and generous to all who knew her, her life was lived putting other’s needs above her own.

She was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1941 to John and Hildred Young. Her family, including sister Patricia, moved to several cities, but ended up back home in Jasper, Alabama. Her first of multiple degrees came from University of Montevallo, after which she began a career in education and counseling. She would spend her lifetime as a student and a teacher, always learning and sharing that knowledge.

She taught at Jemison, Selma, and after raising her children, began a second career as the Guidance Counselor for Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery.

Preeminent in her life was her love for the Lord. Raised in the Nazarene tradition, she later worshiped at Cornerstone Bible Church in Montgomery, teaching hundreds over the years as a Sunday School teacher, AWANA leader, BSF leader, CEF leader, youth leader, piano player, and the lead on countless wedding and baby showers, fellowships and retreats. Even her ‘retirement’ consisted of being a greeter at Morningview Baptist Church in her later years.

Loretta first met the love of her life, James Thornhill, in the 50s, in what can only be described as a scene from a movie. At a teen gathering at a soda shop, James, fresh off his motorcycle, wearing jeans and a white t-shirt, was bet a Coca-cola by a friend, that he won’t go up and talk to the raven-haired beauty. He won the Coke, and the girl, and a beautiful marriage of 63 years.

After a few years of marriage, their family grew with the addition of their daughter Teree (Solomon) and later their son Wes. James and Loretta purposed to be Godly parents and accomplished this, becoming role models of life to not only their children, but also countless others along their way. As a result, their family continues to retain a tight bond to this day. Six grandchildren and six great grandchildren were blessings. Loretta was immensely proud of all of them, and would regale anyone who would listen of their accomplishments, from degrees and jobs, to finger paintings and first steps.

Every Christmas, in lieu of material goods, James and Loretta instead gave a family retreat, knowing that things are temporary but family lasts.

Loretta made life better for everyone that she met, and she will be remembered and missed. The world has become a little dimmer with her passing, and yet made better by the positive impact that she made. Her memory will live in the hearts of all who knew her.

Loretta is preceded in death by her parents, John and Hildred Young and her sister, Patricia Young Travis. She is survived by her husband, James, her children, Teree and Wes, grand children Hallay, Javan, Abigail, John, James and Rachel, and great grand children, Neal, Etta, Maggie, Pearla, Kayden and Easton.