Deacon William Curtis Thornton

January 1, 2014

Mr. William Curtis Thornton William Curtis Thornton was born on April 5, 1923 to the late William Thornton and Martha Parker Gwaltney. He was predeceased by his wife, Virginia Mae Ricks Thornton. Further, he was predeceased by sons Edward Lee Thornton, Claude Thornton, Curtis William Thornton, three grandchildren, Roy Lee Clark, Sheryl Clark and Terrance Wayne Clark. William was the youngest of six children and was educated in Nansemond County Public School System. In 1941 he met and married Virginia Mae Ricks and of the union eight children were born; Curtis William, Janice Evelyn, Edward Lee, James Alexander, Claude ,Elizabeth, Miles Angelo and Terry Lewis. William retired from the City of Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department. He continued to do yard work and other odd jobs. He was a member of the Church of the Solid Rock Apostolic Faith for more than 50 years. He served as Deacon for more than 30 years. William would share with the church on many occasions singing one or the other of his favorite songs –“Payday is Coming After while” and “You got to Move” William leaves to cherish his memories, children Janice E. Clark, Bishop James Alexander Thornton and wife Janie; Elizabeth Peele all of Suffolk, VA; Miles Angelo Thornton and wife Mardee of Staunton Virginia; Terry Lewis and wife Charlene of Elizabeth City, North Carolina; twenty-one grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren and eighteen great great grandchildren and a host of other loving relatives and friends. A Funeral Celebration will be held on Tuesday, 1:00 ,Jan.7 ,2014 at the Greater Sweet Beulah Holiness Church. Burial will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery.