April 17, 1935 – Aug. 7, 2011

ROXIE — Services for James Thornton Sr., 76, of Kansas City, Mo., who died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011, in Kansas City, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at East Roxie Church of Christ.

Burial will follow at Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home in Bude.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Thornton was born April 17, 1935, in Natchez, the son of James Thornton and Betty Greene. He was a graduate of St. Francis High School in Natchez and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was employed by Ford Motor Company for 35 years.

Mr. Thornton was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kansas City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four siblings; and mother-in-law, Kattie Tenner.

Survivors include a loving and devoted wife of 52 years, Hattie Tenner Thornton; four children, James Thornton Jr. and wife, Taunna, of Ceres, Calif., Carolyn Thornton of Overland Park, Kan., Curtis Thornton and wife, Bridget, of Greensboro, N.C., and Anthony “Tony” Thornton of Kansas City; two brothers, John Davis of Natchez and Junior Felton of Kansas City; one brother-in-law, the Rev. Issac Tenner and wife, Nellie Mae, of Fayette; 21 grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.