Jimmy was born on August 11, 1951, in Autauga County, Alabama to Otis A and Lena Bell Thornton. He was the ninth child of their eleven children. He was the baby boy. He went to Pine Level School in Pine Level, Alabama. He was a loving son, helping his mother support the family by selling bags of peanuts, gardening, and working odd jobs.
Jimmy was a very good handyman he knew everything to do with electrical, plumbing, and A.C work. He was previously employed with Maison De Ville, and Knollwood Apartments. He was a member of Fountain of Faith Baptist Missionary Church in Creola, Alabama.
He enjoyed watching western shows, Alabama football, riding horses, riding 4 - wheelers, going fishing, crabbing, going to the barrel races, and chicken events. He had a love for his farm animals; cow Otie, 5 horses, Dancer was his buddy and especially his game chickens.
Jimmy met Karen on January 11, 1980, while she had taken her brother to the skating rink. It was like love at first sight. On April 19, 1980, he proposed to her. They got married on August 16, 1980, at Saraland Baptist Church in Saraland, Alabama.
Jimmy loved his family and spending time with them. He was a very loving Husband, Daddy, and Pawpaw. He was very outgoing, caring, and a loving person. He would do anything for you, he would even give you the shirt off his back.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents Otis A, and Lena Bell Thornton, granddaughter Southern Mae Thornton, sisters, Hazel Holmes, Jeannie Faye Bui, Betty Jean Conner, Elsie Armstrong Williams, brothers, Tommy, Billy Wayne, and James Wesley (Bee) Thornton and father-in-law James Wesley Butler.
Jimmy and Karen began their married life and family with Jimmy’s two sons, Timmy and Chris in 1980.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife Karen of 40 years, his children Timmy Thornton, Chris (Fiancée Brittany) Thornton, Jennifer (Kenneth) Bayles, David (Fiancée Sherri) Thornton, Kristy (Ryan) Ellison, Brittany Thornton Smith, and Alexis Thornton. He is also survived by his grandchildren Timmy Jr, Weston, and Gracelynn Thornton, C.J, Destiny, and Camryn Thornton. Katelynn and Nathan Bayles. Karleigh, Kasey, and Ryder Ellison, Emma Thornton, Jordyn Stevens, and Raelyn Smith, sisters Bernice (Larry) Hadden, Patsy Ann (Kenneth) Lewis, brother Otis Thornton Jr., mother-in-law Gertie Bell Butler, sister- in- law Patricia (Mark) McPherson, brother- in- law Ronnie (Renee) Butler, and numerous relatives and friends.
He will be greatly missed until we meet again in heaven. We love you!
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Radney Funeral Home in Saraland, Alabama from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a 1 o’clock chapel service and interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Saraland, Alabama.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.RadneyFuneralHome-Saraland.com for the Thornton family.
