Mrs. Helen Willis Thornton, 78, of Cleveland, MS passed away Friday, July 15, 2011 at Bolivar Medical Center in Cleveland, MS. Visitation will be Monday, July 18, 2011 at Ray Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Celebration of life services will be Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with burial following at Linn Methodist Church Cemetery in Linn, MS.
Mrs. Thornton was born to Gayle and Martha Willis on July 1, 1933 in Doddsville, MS. On March 26, 1954, she married Allen "Speedy" Thornton in Rosedale, MS. She was a teacher in the Bolivar County school district for over 30 years and after retiring she remained very active by teaching extracurricular summer reading programs at Delta State University. As the quality of schools declined, she was sent out as a trouble shooter to suggest how to improve conditions of the schools and bring them back above standards. Most importantly, she will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Gayle and Martha Willis.
Mrs. Helen is survived by her husband, Allen "Speedy" Thornton of Cleveland, MS; Children, Robert Thornton of Winona, MS, Kathy Thornton Quarles of Winterville, NC, Leslie Thornton of Pensacola, FL, Will Thornton of Cleveland, MS, and Scott Thornton of Bowling Green, MO; Grandchildren, Kristy Peacock, Trey Young, Matt Young, Haley Quarles, Justin Thornton, Jordan Morgan, Scotti Thornton, Ashton Thornton, and Kimberly Thornton; and six great grandchildren.

First Visitation

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday, July 18, 2011
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Service Information

10:00 am Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment Information

Linn Methodist Cemetery Linn Linn, Mississippi, United States