Alice Faye “Petey” Martin Thornton, 74, of LaFayette, Georgia, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
“Granny” as she was lovingly known to all, was born in Calhoun, GA. but spent most of her life in LaFayette, GA. She worked for Caron Spinning for nearly 20 years. Then she returned to school and earned her GED then received her associate’s degree from North Western Technical College in Computer Programing. Granny loved nothing more than spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was the youngest child of and was preceded in death by her parents, Jasper and Ludie Martin; brothers, James, Jack and Roy Martin; and sisters, Ether Holder, Opal Whisonant, Lavonia Kinsey and Julia Michaels.
Granny is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Ronald “Runt” Thornton; children, Master Sargent USAF (Ret) Jeff “J.T.” (Karen) Thornton of Byron, GA, Rhonda (Kyle) Stowers of Ringgold, GA, Sharon (Allen) Turner of Summerville, GA and Desire (Chad) Hicks of LaFayette; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and loving dog, Libby.
Funeral from the Wallis Memorial Chapel will be Saturday, May 23 at 4 p.m. with Rev. Bill Thornton and Rev. Joey Thornton officiating. Interment will follow in the LaFayette Memory Gardens. Pallbearers are Gary Chapman, Greg Chapman, Keith McKin, Ricky Thornton, Matt Thornton and Justin Thornton. Honorary pallbearers will be Matt Swinson, Ben Cooper and Tony Henry.
Family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, May 22 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, May 23 prior to the service.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.