Mr. Thornton, Age 77, entered eternal rest on Sunday March 5, 2017 at Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News VA. Mr. Thornton was born on August 11, 1939 to Joe & Carrie Thornton. He graduated from Sussex County Training School (Sussex Central High).

John was a chef @ Fort Lee, Petersburg, Morris Town Hospital, N.J., Wakefield Inn, Wakefield, Splash in Hopewell and Owner of Scott Land Wharf, Surry.

Mr. Thornton is preceded in death by brothers John Thornton Jr. and Morris Thornton, a sister, Mary Thornton Brown (Baby Sis.) and Daughter, PFC Pamela Gay.

John Leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Estelle Gay Thornton, Daughter's Janice Thornton Mason (Hank), of Wakefield and Michelle Orr of Newport News. Son's John C. Thornton (Christina) of Wakefield, Anthony Thornton of Tucson Arizona and Jeffery Gay (Karen) of Surry, VA;one sister, Paris Ellis of Tallahassee Florida; two brothers, Eldridge Thornton (Alice) of Wakefield, and Clarence Stringfield Sr. of Surry. Sister-in-laws Florence Thornton of Lynchburg, Va. Alice Thornton of Wakefield, Christine Hill (Elisha) of Waverly and Rosa Gay of Wakefield.
Brothers-in- laws William Brown of Wakefield, Elisha P. Hill of Waverly, William Gay of Smithfield, Donald Gay and Melvin Gay of Wakefield, And a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Homegoing Service for Mr. Thornton will be Saturday, March 11, 2017 at First Baptist Wakefield, Virginia, Rev. Jerry Parham, Pastor.