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Dec. 21, 1936 – Nov. 29, 2023

NATCHEZ – Services for Ivy Ray Thornton, 86, of Natchez who died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in Natchez will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Washington Baptist Church with Bro. Carl Smith officiating.

Burial will follow at the Taylor Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Washington Baptist Church.

Mr. Thornton was born on Dec. 21, 1936, in Smithdale, MS, the son of Truly and Lois Thornton. Ivy Ray attended school in Franklin County and grew up there. He was a resident of Natchez for many years where he was employed at Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company for 30 years and also employed by the State of Mississippi for 20 years, at Etheridge Hardware and Home Hardware, and spent many hours helping at Hewitt’s Roofing. He was a jack of all trades and loved helping anyone that needed it.

He was a firm believer and secure in his faith. He was a member at Immanuel Baptist Church before joining Washington Baptist Church. Ivy Ray loved his church family and was always involved. He loved to sing in the choir and sang for many years in several quartets.

The one thing he was most proud of was his garden. He told us many times he never had a bad garden. He loved to work it and give away his vegetables.

He was the best friend and constant companion to Debbie, his wife of 48 years, a loving father to his 6 children and their spouses, and a proud pawpaw to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ivy Ray was preceded in death by his son, Justin; his parents, Truly and Lois Thornton; his four sisters; and his brother.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie, and his children, Belinda Brashier of Natchez; Mark Thornton and wife, Susan of Pineville, LA; Tana Archer and husband, Marc of Vidalia, LA; Angie Davis and husband, Rick Miley of Natchez; and Gayla Jackson and husband, Eric of Gonzales, LA. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Beau Brashier, Marcus Archer, Taylor Davis, Preston Williams, Kelly Spears, and great-grandson Jake Spears. Honorary pallbearers will be Allen Winfield and James Green.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.