THOMAS MICHAEL THORNTON SR.
Dec. 23, 1952-July 20, 2014
Thomas Michael "Joe" Thornton Sr., 61, Saulston, went to be with his Lord and savior Sunday, July 20, 2014, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at 7 p.m. from the chapel of Howell Funeral Home and Crematory in Goldsboro.
The family will receive friends following the service.
Joe was born in Wayne County Dec. 23, 1952, to the late Sim and Helen Beasley Thornton.
He was loving, caring and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and man of God. Joe was a man with many attributes that were quickly noticed and found to be a pleasure to all who met him.
He was a member of Belfast Pentecostal Holiness Church, and contributed to many things and members by giving himself wholeheartedly to individual causes, making sure that all were given the love and compassion that he felt each deserved.
Joe now has a new choir and orchestra to play and sing with, and is free to celebrate in his eternal home with his savior Jesus Christ.
Joe's presence will be missed, but a greater homecoming is coming when we shall gather again.
He was also retired from Ricky Hill Painting for more than 40 years.
Joe is survived by his wife, Becky Davenport Thornton; a son, Michael Thornton of Goldsboro; a daughter, Jennifer Avery and husband, Jim, of Goldsboro; three stepchildren, Wendy Fisher and husband, Scott, of Pennsylvania, Billy Sweigart and wife, Laura, of Pennsylvania and Benjamin Sweigart and wife, Susan, of Clayton; a brother, James "Bud" Thornton and wife, Mary, of Pikeville; a sister, Bonnie Perry and husband, Ray, of Hamstead; nine grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Margaret Gibbs of Goldsboro; and two brothers-in-law, Roland Davenport of Goldsboro and Michael Davenport of Texas.
The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home and Crematory in Goldsboro.
www.howellfuneral.com
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on July 22, 2014 1:51 PM