DOUGLAS VANCE THORNTON
Dec. 21, 1941-March 6, 2014
Douglas Vance Thornton, 72, Newton Grove, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2014.
He was born Dec. 21, 1941, in Newton Grove, N.C., to the late Frank Norwood Thornton and Ruth Thornton Jones. He was preceded in death by Bonnie Sue Thornton, his loving wife of 44 years.
Douglas was a lifelong resident of Newton Grove, N.C., where he and Bonnie raised their three girls.
He was employed with Hog Slat for 26 years.
Douglas also served his country in Vietnam.
He is survived by his three children, Teresa Parker of Atmore, Ala., Lela Beasley (fiancé, Jerome Faulkner) of Newton Grove and Tonya Sells (husband, Julius Sells) of Atmore, Ala.
He has six grandchildren, Chason and Mackenzie Beasley of Newton Grove, Tabitha and Bonnie Parker of Newton Grove and Thornton and Julia Sells of Atmore, Ala.
He is also survived by three sisters and a brother, Sara Sutton Buff of Newton Grove, Linda Reardon of Smithfield, Dixie Barbour of Four Oaks and Gordon Thornton of Raleigh.
Douglas was known as the unofficial ambassador to his family, who loved his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews dearly. He was also a devoted friend to many.
He was also known for his quick wit and good sense of humor, and he had a passion for a good yard sale.
A memorial service will be at West and Dunn Funeral Home in Newton Grove Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m.
Visitation will be after the service at the home of his daughter, Lela Beasley, 316 N. Church St., Newton Grove.
Memorials may be made to Newton Grove Fire Department.
Condolences may be made at www.westanddunn.com.
A service of West and Dunn Funeral Home of Newton Grove.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on March 7, 2014 1:48 PM