The funeral for Eugene Thornton, 93, of Athens will be Friday, April 28th, 2023, at 2:00pm, at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Larry Trotter and Bro. John Taggart officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be from 12:00-1:50pm on Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Thornton died on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Thornton was born on April 8th, 1930, in Athens, AL to James and Louise Thornton Ruf. He graduated from Athens High School in 1949 and served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. He married his sweetheart, Macle Atkins, in 1952 and went on to further his education at Athens College, in which he graduated in 1959. He served one term (four years) as a City Councilman in Athens and was also interim Mayor for a short period of time.
Mr. Thornton retired from the L&N Railroad after 39 years. He also delivered flowers for Athens Florist from 1992 to 2008. Mr. Thornton was a founding member of Athens Church of God, in which he still was an active member. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leslie Thornton and Leroy Thornton; sisters, Lounette Champion and Bernice Couch; and son-in-law David Owens. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Macle Atkins Thornton; three sons, Denny Thornton (Phyllis), Mike Thornton (Connie), and Philip Thornton (Kim); one daughter, Becky Thornton Owens; eight grandchildren, Taylor Thomas (Jamey), Lance Thornton (Kara), Melanie Shackleford (Jeremiah), Lauren Hall, David Owens (Terrie), Caitlin Thornton, Jordan Thornton and Brandee Black, and eleven great-grandchildren, Jacob, Casey Lee and Tyler Shackleford, Blaire and Cannon Hall, Averi and Dawson Owens, Willow Thornton, Mae Thomas and Caden and Corey Charneco.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Mr. Thornton’s honor to Hospice of Limestone County and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
