Ray White Thornton's Obituary
Ray White Thornton passed away on Monday, November 25, 2019 at the age of 86 at Methodist Hospice Residence. Ray was born in Pace, MS on July 2, 1933 to Harvey and Molly Thornton. Ray was a graduate of Cleveland High School where he excelled and lettered in numerous sports and was named Mr. CHS his senior year. Ray was married to his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Katie Thornton. Ray and Katie were married for 64 years and lived in Cleveland, MS for many years before retiring to Cherokee Village, AR. Ray served in the United States Army before returning to Cleveland. He was a loyal Delta State baseball fan and enjoyed many games from the bleachers with his fellow “Bleacher Bums”. He farmed for the majority of his life before joining the City of Cleveland Water Dept prior to retirement. Upon retiring to Cherokee Village, AR, Ray continued his love of gardening and farming and enjoyed playing golf with friends. He was a member of Spring River Baptist Church and enjoyed the friendship and faith found within the church. Ray is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Katie Thornton, his father, Harvey Thornton and mother, Molly Thornton, his brothers, Harvey “Hot” Thornton, Allen “Speedy” Thornton, Gene Thornton, Milton Thornton, and sisters, Mary Thornton Rigby and Dell Thornton Frazier. He is survived by his daughter Diana Thornton Farr, his granddaughter, Brooke Farr Kemp and spouse Shane, and great-granddaughters Katie Isabella Kemp and Ruby Annalise Kemp, brothers Francis Thornton and his identical twin Roy Thornton and sisters, Elizabeth “Sookie” Thornton Noblin and Christine Thornton Mitchell. A memorial and celebration of life will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5688 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Visitation will be at 1:00 with the service beginning at 2:00. All family and friends are invited to share their memories and honor the wonderful life of Ray Thornton.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, 901-767-8930. “A Fitting Farewell For Everyone”.To view the memorial tribute video, please click the link below:https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/8C4L5JQD4C6GKN9J
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