She was born in Whitehall on November 4, 1940, as Ivey Brown where she stayed through the early 1970s. She eventually moved to Youngstown, Ohio, in pursuit of adventure and employment opportunities. During her stay, she worked as a Services Supervisor at Ramada Inn for nearly 20 years. She ultimately returned to Whitehall to help care for her mother during the 1980s and worked several years at a local convenient store until her health began to fail.

Shortly upon Mrs. Thornton’s return, she became the wife of William Thornton after many years of friendship. She was a great wife for over 20 years till William proceeded her in 2003. In addition, she was a great daughter, sister to her 12 siblings and an awesome aunt to a host of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Thornton was preceded in death by four siblings and leaves to cherish her memory eight living siblings, Lee Brown of Whitehall, Maggie Surles of Miami, Lorine Brown of Clinton, Maryland, Joe Brown of Anniston, James Brown of Montgomery, Leroy Brown of Whitehall, Hozell Brown of Selma and Huzell Brown of Montgomery.

Mrs. Thornton transitioned to be in paradise with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at 11:30 p.m. at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, after several years of battling health issues.

Her viewing will be held at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Mount Gillard Baptist Missionary Church, located at 8376 U.S. Highway 80 West in Tyler.