Marian Annette Thornton's Obituary
Funeral Service for Ms. Marian Annette Thornton, 79, of Clanton, Alabama, will be Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Sardis Baptist Church. Rev. Matthew Reams and Rev. Jeff Hardy will officiate. Burial will follow in the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 30, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Radney Funeral Home.
Marian passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Hatley Health Care, Clanton, Alabama. She was born on January9,1945 in Rockford, Alabama, to Herschel and Dera Ward Thornton. Marian received her education at Coosa County High School, followed by Masses Draughon Business College in Montgomery, Alabama. She worked at State Farm Insurance in Birmingham before moving to Huntsville to work at Redstone Arsenal. She later worked in Montgomery at the Alabama State Attorney General's office, followed by employment at Alabama Probation and Parole Board. She retired from Tutwiler Prison for Women. She knew all the inmates at Tutwiler by name, treating them like her family and providing spiritual friendship. She frequently entertained them by playing the piano and singing gospel songs. She spent time with every Death Row inmate by visiting them in their cells.
Marians number one joy was serving her Lord through music. She began playing the piano and singing at five years old. As an adult she was in a quartet called the Sweet, Sweet Spirits that sang frequently in the Central Alabama area. She taught Sunday School to children, youth, and adults. She had a special love for Israel and The Samaritan's Purse ministry. Marian spread love everywhere she went with everybody she met.
She loved animals and rescued dozens of cats and dogs through the years. Her family teased her as being the stereotypical Crazy Cat Lady. She even named her cows.She is survived by her brother, Grady Thornton (Laura) and nephews, Christian Thornton (Barbara), Brandon Thornton (Donna), Joel Nesmith (Pam), Robert Bullard, Daniel Bullard, Thomas Bullard, great-nephew, Austin Thornton, and great-niece, Sierra Thornton Henry (Ethan).
She is preceded in death by her parent, Herschel and Dera Thornton, and brother, Herron Wayne "Buster" Thornton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sardis Baptist Church, 6690 Coosa County Road 29, Rockford, Alabama, 35136 or online at https://give.idonate.com/baptist-foundation-alabama/sardis-baptist-church.
The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff of Hatley Health Care for their loving car of Marian for over six years.
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