Rhoda A Beam Thornton, 88, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at The Green Houses in Tupelo . She was born September 10, 1926 to the late Thomas Anthony Beam and the late Mary Cole Beam, where she spent most of her lifetime in Itawamba County. She was a beloved mother, wife, and friend to many in the community. She was a devout Christian and shining example, whose faith in God never wavered. She will be greatly missed by all. She retired from Abbott Labs, in the Chicago area, after a number of years of service. She was a faithful member of Salem Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, supporting foreign missions, being a Sunday School teacher and was WMU director at her church for a number of years.
Survivors include her Daughter, Rhonda Thornton (Charles) Richardson of Tupelo, Son, Robin G. (Barbara) Thornton of Saltillo, Daughter, Nita (David Walsh) Thornton of Denton, TX, Daughter, Rebecca Thornton (Phil) Cates of Woodstock, GA, Grandchildren, Timothy (Melissa) Richardson of Fairfield, PA, Jeremie Ray (Jenny) Richardson of Tupelo, Melissa R. (Dennis) Nolan of Tupelo, Amy (Cory) Dewitt of Guntown, Sarah (Brad) Bates of Jonesboro, AR, Levi (Krista) Walsh of Denton, TX, Jordan Walsh of Denton, TX, Shiloh Thornton of Denton, TX, Claire Cates of Athens, GA, Cole Cates of Woodstock, GA, Chloe, Caleb, Ariel, Annabelle, Abigail Richardson, Addison, Adalyn, Brayden Dewitt, and Taylor Bates.
She was preceded in death by her Husband, Ray “R.L.” Thornton, Parents, Son, Jimmie Ray Thornton, 3 Brothers, 2 Sisters.
Pallbearers will be Timothy Richardson ,Jeremie Richardson, Levi Walsh, Jordan Walsh, Cole Cates, Caleb Richardson.
