Our Beloved Mother, Millie Lou Thornton, was escorted into the presence of the lord on Monday, July 12th, 2021, at 3:55 P.M surrounded by her loving family at St. Vincent Hospital.

Millie was the ninth child of parents Eardis and Luvenia Cummings, born on April 27, 1942. Millie graduated from Guntown Lowes High School where she excelled academically, and was the Salutatorian of her graduating class. Millie was an active member of the Mt. Moriah Church of the Living God where she was the Sunday school secretary. Millie had a love for the game of basketball, once a high school player herself.

Millie met her husband, Hardy Thornton, while at a quartet singing in Chester Ville, Mississippi. They married on Sunday, April 16th, 1961, on the grounds of Mt. Moriah Church of the Living God. To this union, ten children were born. Millie, and husband made their home in Tupelo, Mississippi where they had their first-born daughter, Vanessa. Millie, Hardy, and Vanessa departed Mississippi in September 1962 and drove to Toledo, Ohio to join her other sister and brothers and start a new life.

Millie was a longtime faithful member of the New Covenant Church of the Living God, where her Pastor was Bishop James R. Sherman, for many years. Under the Pastorage of her Pastor Elder James D, Sherman, she continued to remain faithful to the ministry. Millie was an avid Bible reader (she read the Bible at least 8 times), she was a prayer warrior, and held on to her faith until the end. She had a genuine love for God. Millie loved good preaching, and good singing, especially quartet music.

Millie had a great work ethic. She briefly worked at Kroger on Manhattan Blvd where she was a cashier. She was a pleasant worker and enjoyed her job. Millie decided that she wanted to take a different career path. She began working at St. Vincent Hospital. She worked as a nursing assistant most of her career while employed there. Millie worked a short time within the units of hospital before she decided to transfer to the OB/GYN, and pediatric clinics. She worked the majority of her 25-year tenure in the clinics where she met and inspired many young moms and staff. She was a very compassionate warrior. The clients and clinical staff often recognized her as being one of the “sweetest ladies there was”. Many spoke of her motherly advice, and nonjudgmental attitude towards all her clients.

Millie was a proverbial woman who exhibited beauty and grace. Her children called her blessed. Millie was one who did not like conflict and she was a peacemaker. All who met her loved her, and she left a lasting impression on all those who she encountered.

Her parents, Eardis and Luvenia Cummings, daughter, Kelly Danelle, sister, Annie D. Ransey, brothers Ardillars, Idell, Melvin, James, Leodis, and Lee Earnest Cummings, and two grandsons, preceded Millie in death.

Millie leaves to cherish her memories and carry on her legacy, Husband of sixty years Hardy. Children: Vanessa, Harvey (Jeanine), Chandra, Howard, Bonita, Kimi, Hal, Halee, and Hardy Jr IV. Grandchildren: Brandon, Carri, Antowine, Eric, Brenton, Brianna, Ryan, Antowine, Airicka, Lavinia, Deja, Ericka, Angel, Janayé, LaMar, Halee Jr., Kemon, Shakhayla, Jala, Love, Kevion, Howard Jr., Kelly, Talina, Jazar, Kiaire, and Hayden. Twenty great grandchildren, and special granddaughter Ericka, who acted as caretaker for Millie and Hardy. Sisters: Mabel Young, Ella (Bishop James) Sherman, Margie (Mack) Mister, and Martha (Worn) King. Sister in laws: Mae Sue, Ruby Cummings, Leddie Jay Conway, and Bertha Merelith. Brother in law, Frank Thornton. Goddaughters, Godsons, and her “ favorite” (You know who you are), and a host of family and friends. Millie will be greatly missed. Her sweet spirit will forever be a reminder of the pure love of God.