John Ward Thornton

Mr. John Ward Thornton, 74, of Davis Road, Elberton, husband of 49 years to Mallie Elizabeth “Libby” Fleming Thornton, finished his course in faith on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at Kindred Hospice at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital.

Mr. Thornton was born in Elberton on August 6, 1944, son of the late Jamie Bowman Thornton and Mary Rebecca Todd Thornton. He was a graduate of Elbert County High School and a member of Middleton United Methodist Church. He was a brickmason by trade and served faithfully in the Army National Guard until his retirement.

Survivors include his wife, Libby; son, Sandy and Valerie Thornton; grandchildren: Nathan Thornton and Kelly and Michael King; siblings: Edmund and Elsie Thornton, Jane Nickles, and Brenda and Johnny Rice; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings: Alice Nickles, Wilma McGee, Marian Hosea, Clyde Thornton, and David Thornton, Sr.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, October 27, at 11 o’clock in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with the Rev. James Gunn officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Middleton United Methodist Church Cemetery. Members of the U.S. Army will serve as pallbearers and Johnny Rice, Randy Rice, David Wayne Thornton, Jr., Ed Lovin, Larry Brady, and Todd Yeargin will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Mr. Thornton is at Berry Funeral Home where the family will receive friends beginning at 10 o’clock on Saturday morning. At other hours they will be at their respective homes.

Flowers are accepted; contributions may be made in his memory to Middleton United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 660, Elberton, Georgia 30635 or to Benevolence Fund at Elberton Church of God, PO Box 454, Elberton, Georgia 30635.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. John Ward Thornton.