Obituaries

Oris Bryant Thornton

Photo of Oris Bryant Thornton
Mr. Oris Bryant Thornton, 80, of Hope, Arkansas joined hands with Jesus on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. He was born October 4, 1931 to Roy Day Thornton and Susan Elizabeth Copeland Thornton in his beloved hometown of Nashville, Arkansas. A graduate of the Nashville High Class of 1949, he was proud of his heritage of growing up and working in the peach orchards, running the movie projector at the Elberta Theatre, and playing football for the Nashville Scrappers 1948 championship team and earning All State honors. "Tiny" went on to be "Mulerider" at Southern State College, where he was a member of the 1952 championship team under Coach Elmer Smith, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1953. Later he earned a Masters in School Administration from Henderson State University. He was also a United States Army Korean War veteran. His wife of 56 years, Carolyn Cox Thornton survives him. They married after dating six short weeks. Together they raised five "cheerleaders", Lucie Thornton of Mandeville, La.,; Laura Winters of Hope, Ark.; Lisa Delano and husband Bob, of Mooresville, N.C.; Lynne Chapman of Texarkana, Ark.; and Lesley Thornton, who was waiting for him in Heaven. He was a sweet and loving Pa to his grandchildren, Leigh Winters of Hope, Ark.; Victorine Lamothe of New York City, N.Y.; Julien Lamothe of Baton Rouge, La.; Lesliana and Claire Delano of Mooresville, N.C.; and Hannah Chapman of Texarkana, Ark. He was proud of his many years in Arkansas public education serving the communities of Mena, Guernesy, Bradley, Springhill, Mineral Springs, and Willisville. He had a lifelong friendships with his fellow coaches, teachers, students, and players. He came from a hardworking and fun loving family and is survived by his brother Barney Thornton, and wife Betty, of Texarkana, Ark.; sister Irene Regnier of Little Rock, Ark.; and sister Judy Harris, and husband Dexter, of Lockhart, Texas. His love of family included his many nieces and nephews, in-laws, and his special aunt Opal Cox of Hope, Ark. Oris loved to be in his shop working on a new project, outside tending his garden, repairing a Lionel train, or taking apart and putting back together a clock. If he took a break, he could be found having coffee with the boys, watching cowboy movies, or taking a five-minute nap. He was a proud and loyal member of the Century Bible Class at First United Methodist Church of Hope, the Good Ole Boys Club of Nashville, Golden K, Arkansas Retired Teachers, Lionel Train Collectors, and the Whitfield Masonic Lodge of Hope, who awarded him the Pillars of Solomon, their highest honor. Oris was a generous, empathetic, and kind man. He truly never met a stranger and he was a blessing to many. We thank Daddy for teaching us the value of hard work, perseverance, hope, and most importantly, the love of God and one another. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, December 30th at Brazzel/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, December 31st at the United Methodist Church of Hope. Burial will be at Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Hope or the charity of the donor's choice. Online guestbook: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com.

Published December 30, 2011

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