Funeral services will take place on Tuesday for a 36 year-old Meadow man who died Friday afternoon in a farming accident near South Johnston High School.
Charles Perry Thornton of Reedy Prong Church Road, Newton Grove got caught in a tobacco harvester in a field just off US301 and Hannah Creek Road at approximately 3:56pm. He died at the scene. On Monday, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said Thornton’s death was ruled as an accident.
According to Forbes magazine, farming is the fourth deadliest job in the United States due to farm machinery.
The victim owned and operated Charles Perry Thornton Farms.
He is survived by his wife, Tina Massengill Thornton; and two children, Anna Elizabeth Thornton and Alan Perry Thornton, both of the home. He is also survied by his mother and stepfather, Carolyn W. and Mike Matthews of Dunn; his father, Charles Brady Thornton of Meadow; and sister, Mary Beth Rhodes and husband Scott of Meadow. The visitation for Mr. Thornton is Monday night at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson. The funeral service will be held Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the Thornton Children’s Trust Fund, c/o First Citizens Bank, 301 E. Main St., Benson, N.C. 27504.
