Mr. Jerry Thornton peacefully departed this life on Friday, morning, August 3, 2018, at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. His wife, and children shared in his beautiful home-going.

He was willing to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (II Corinthians 5:8)  His faith and trust was in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Jerry was born December 6, 1948 to Bernice Long and James Thornton in Hampton, Virginia.

Jerry was a loving and wonderful family man.  He provided well for his family.  Lillie was his high school sweetheart.  Each of his children had a special place in his heart.

Jerry served in the United States Army with an honorable discharge.  He also served in the Reserves.  He was employed with the United States Postal Service until his retirement.

Jerry was a member of the 1968 graduating class of Paisley Sr. High School in Winston-Salem, NC.  He graduated from Breckinridge Job Corps Center in 1968.  He furthered his education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  In 2014, he received a degree from Vintage Bible College.  Jerry was dedicated to the Paisley High School Alumni "Big Four." Designing tee shirts, caps, and other accessories were his passion.

Jerry was kind-hearted.  He reached out a helping hand to anyone who was in need.  He made charitable donations to numerous organizations and "causes" for the support of humanity.  He is known for his love and patience.

Jerry was gifted in various areas.  There was seldom a topic that he didn't know something about.  Observing nature and feeding the birds was a hobby of his.  And, the birds knew their feeding time.

Jerry's mother and sisters, Mrs. Blondela Thompson, Mrs. Clintonia A. Long, and Mrs. Diane Baity Williamson preceded his home-going.

Cherishing precious memories are Jerry's wife, Lillie Williams Thornton, of 44 years; a son, Marcus Dean Thornton; two daughters, Kenya Chiquitta Thornton and April Dawn-Eaddy Thornton of Winston-Salem, NC; a God-granddaughter, Jhenesis Hines; and a special great niece, N'Kaila Dula; brothers-in-law, Rev. Dr. Hubert S. Williams (Evangelist Lula M.), Jacob Williams (Cynthia), and Alfonza Williams; sisters-in-law, Mrs. Willie B. W. Singletary, Mrs. Albert W. Brown, Mrs. Jannie W. Funderburk, Mrs. Eliza W. Spates, and Luvenia Williams; beautiful nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends and acquaintances.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at St. James AME Church. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11:30am until 12:00noon on Tuesday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Veterans Helping Veterans at 3614 Glenn Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27105.