Betty Jean Gardner Thornton, age 71, 3288 Flannigan Mill Road, Richland, Georgia passed Monday, May 14, 2012.
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Friday, May 18, 2012 at Cool Spring Baptist Church, Cool Spring Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery. The Reverend Jerome Jones, Pastor, will officiate.
Betty Jean Gardner Thornton was born December 25, 1940 in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia to the late Tom Gardner and Beatrice Jackson Gardner. She was preceded in death by three siblings: Gertrude McKay, James Gardner and Joe Lewis Gardner. She was educated in the public school system of Marion County and was a 1959 graduate of Buena Vista High School. She was united in holy matrimony to the late J. W. Thornton and to this union they were blessed with two daughters. After many years of dedicated services she retired from the C & W Cabinet Company of Buena Vista.
Being reared in a Christian home she learned early in life her path of duty. She joined the Cool Spring Church where she served faithfully as the church announcer, usher and deaconess.
Survivors include her beloved daughters and son-in-law, Laverne McKinney (F.C.) Havelock, North Carolina and Seleta Thornton, Richland, Georgia; three grandchildren, Taneisha McKinney, Elisha McKinney and C. J. McKinney; four siblings, Tommy Frank Gardner, Atlanta, Georgia, Martha Miller, Union, Kentucky, Allene Thomas (G.W.) Buena Vista, Georgia and Jerome Gardner (Mary), Atlanta, Georgia; two aunts, Pinkey Green and Margie Thomas (Pastor Daniel), Columbus, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Essie Mae Ramsey, Buena Vista, Georgia, Willie Frank Thornton (Mary Ann) and Henry Lee Thornton (Bernice) all of Richland, Georgia, Tom Thornton (Ruth), Felton Thornton all of Atlanta, Georgia, Verine Jackson and Eva Daniel both of Buena Vista, Georgia and Nadine Thomas, Atlanta, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. May God continue to keep you strong. I will keep you all in my prayers!!!
Laverne and Seleta Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might.
Tracy Times Lott and Family.
Please accept our condolences on your loss. We shall always remember her warm smile that seemed to signal a pleasant welcome from the joys of her heart. (I shall always be reminded of the peanuts that Mrs. Thornton made sure that Seleta always brought me during the fall of every year.) As you look to the hills from where you receive help, may god bless and keep you.
Laverne and Seleta We will always remember how Betty was so full of laughter and joy. We will miss her dearly. Love, your cousins. The Jackson Family, Buena Vista, Ga.
We are praying that your memories will strengthen and comfort you in the days ahead. The Cool Spring family will miss her cheerful smile and helping hands!
Laverne, Blessings to your family who's lives have changed within an instance...Help them to breathe again Lord and mend the broken pieces...Resting in the arms of her Creator and an Angel among us she is...Let her spirit and memory bring comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding to her family and all that knew and loved her. Selah.
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." You are in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that God will give you strength in the days ahead.
Goodbyes are hard. It may be hard for the person leaving, but it's always harder for the one left behind.Laverne and Seleta, may God comfort you through your lost we Love Aunt Bet and she will be deeply missed. Look to the Hills and remember Joy comes in the morning. You will get through this. Love Your Cousin Linda and Family.
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Mrs. Betty. She was truly a beautiful person and i enjoyed the years we shared at Cool Spring together. I will always remember her smile and loving ways. I pray that God will strengthen you all at this time and our prayers and thoughts are with you.