Bessie Lee Edwards Thornton went home to be with the Lord, January 24, 2026, at North Mississippi Medical Center with her beloved family by her side. She was born October 7, 1940, to the late Charlie Edwards, Sr. and Leslie Moody Edwards in Lee County, MS. She attended Belden School and worked for Lanier Clothing formally known as Hunter Sadler for many years. Bessie professed hope in Christ at an early age and united with Kimble Chapel M. B. Church where she remained faithful until death. Bessie was joined in Holy matrimony to Samuel Thornton, April 12, 1958.
A Celebration of life will be held at 2 PM Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Kimble Chapel MB Church in Tupelo with Pastor OJ Salters officiating. Burial will take place after in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 1 PM-service time at the church and 4-6 PM Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo. Holland Funeral Directors are honored to be serving the friends and family.
Bessie leaves to cherish her memories, a loving husband, Samuel Thornton, Sr. of the home; her children: Debra Burns of Colorado Springs, CO, Samuel Thornton, Jr., Andrew Thornton (Evelyn), Mary Hubbert, Lenoir Thornton (Carolyn), and Gloria Fields (Kenneth) all of Belden, MS, and Larry May (JoAnn) of Milwaukee, WI; her siblings: Geraldine Green (Leo) of Verona, MS, Charlie Patton (Bernice), and Robert Patton (Barbara) of Belden, MS, and Jimmie Pools (Johnny) of Nashville, TN; a host grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Bessie also leaves a brother in-law, Mitchell Thornton, Sr. (Marie) of St Louis, MO. Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Heron Edwards, Herman Edwards, Willie Edwards, Charlie Edwards, Jr., Robert Edwards, Grover Edwards; and one sister, Helen Hodges Robinson.
