Eugene Thornton

Mr. Eugene Jackson Thornton, Sr., died Sunday, February 16, 2014, at Doctors Hospital. Mr. Thornton was a native of Wilkes County and had lived here all of his life.He was the son of the late Manuel Clarke Thornton and Ruby Jordan Thornton, and was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Reba Hendrix Thornton.Along with his brother Clarke, he co-founded Thornton Brothers Logging Co. in 1949, and had remained active in the business.He was an enthusiastic member of the NRA and of NASTRA, and used to love to compete in silhouette shooting competitions around the southeast.He also was a member of the Kettle Creek Rifle & Pistol Club.He was an excellent mechanic and craftsman, and while it wasn’t his chosen profession, had built four houses in his lifetime.He was a member and former active deacon of the Rehoboth Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at the Rehoboth Baptist Church with Rev. Steven Rayner officiating.Interment will follow at the Church Cemetery.Pallbearers will be grandchildren and great grandchildren; Mark Thornton, Robert Thornton, Steve Poston, Dylan Echols, Nicholas Corns, Tony Corns, Ben Echols, Ricky Thornton, and Amanda Brooks.Mike McCombs will serve as honorary pallbearer. Mr. Thornton is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Gene Thornton, Jr., and wife Caroline, of Washington,Danny Thornton, and wife Alice, of Crawfordville, Neil Thornton, and wife Rhonda, of Washington; one daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia T. Jackson, and husband J.R., of Augusta; one brother, Clarke Thornton, of Washington; one sister, Grace T. Hunter, of Crawfordville; eight grandchildren, Mark and Angie Thornton, Tammy and Ben Echols, Michele and Daniel Woodward, Rebecca and Jonathan Sebold, Steven and Erin Poston, Tracey and Tony Corns, Robert and Jill Thornton and Amanda and James Brooks; sixteen great grandchildren. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm at Hopkins Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rehoboth Baptist Church, c/o Mr. Alan Ivey, 3028 Lovelace Rd., Lincolnton, GA30817.