Birth Date: 05/31/1939
Deceased Date: 12/14/2017
Smithfield – James Ernest Thornton, Jr., age 78, died Thursday, December 14, 2017 at his home. Born May 31, 1939 in Mebane, NC he was the son of the late James Ernest and Lora Middleton Thornton, Sr. James was a past president of the Johnston County Law Enforcement Association and a two-time Master of Masonic Fellowship Lodge #84 in Smithfield. He retired from Johnston Correctional Facility as Superintendent in 1993 after 32 years of service.
Memorial services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2017 in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home with Rev. Seth Allen officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Monday just prior to the service.
Surviving are his wife, Linda Culbreth Thornton of the home; children, Lora Bedford and husband Rick of Smithfield, Allen Thornton of Four Oaks, and Richard Cowley and wife Sandra of Southam, Great Britain; sister, Mary Elizabeth Thornton; eight grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to SECU Hospice House, Johnston Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1376, Smithfield, NC 27577, or, the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
