Services for Jack Thornton, 95 of Tennessee Colony, will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday December 20, 2020 at Friendship Baptist Church with Bro. Jerry Horine and Bro. Edwin Bowman officiating. Masonic graveside rites will follow in Rock Church Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey & Foster Funeral Home. A visitation will be held Saturday December 19, 2020 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Bailey & Foster in Palestine.

Mr. Thornton passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Palestine Regional Medical Center. He was born September 25, 1925 in the Blackfoot Community. Some of the happiest times of Jack's life were spent with his family as well as with his friends. Mr. Thornton was a member of Friendship Baptist Church for 63 years where he served as Deacon for 52 plus years. Jack has held many titles throughout his life, some of which he still holds today. He was a Sunday school teacher for 57 years and taught people of all ages. It was not until 2014 that he stopped teaching. Earlier in his life he was on the school board for 9 years with Cayuga ISD. He also held a position on the Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative board for 33 years. He was a member of the Tyre Masonic Lodge 198 for 64 years where he served as secretary for over 50 years. He also worked for Bratz Tire Company for 25 years and served in the US Army during WWII.

Mr. Thornton was preceded in death by his parents, Avery Bolton Thornton, Sr. and Lydia Ann Dugan Thornton, a son Taylor Jack Thornton, sisters, Erma Lee Magee and Leta Otis, brothers, Bodie Thornton, Jr. and A.Z. Thornton. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Alva Jo Thornton, daughters, Debbie Rhodes and husband David, and Alisa Gideon and husband Greg, son Chuck Thornton, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Garrett Gideon, Chad Thornton, Patrick Owens, Jordan West, Randell Brown and Buck Otis. To view online leave condolences or sign the guest book go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com.