Obituary of Bernard Thornton

Funeral services for Bernard “Bernie” Leonard Thornton, Jr., age 56, of Mesquite will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 8, 2012 at Trinity Harvest Church of God with Bishop Ray Evers officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Pittsburgh with Michael Ramsey, Roger Thornton, Billy Frazier, Gerald Burnett, Michael Hayes and Eddie Jaynes serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2012 at West Oaks Funeral Home. Mr. Thornton passed away Monday, June 4, 2012 while jogging. Mr. Thornton was born on September 13, 1955 in Greenwood, MS, the son of Bernard Leonard Thornton, Sr., and Lucy Lea (Murray) Thornton. Mr. Thornton received his Bachelor’s Degree from East Texas State University. He taught 6th grade at White Rock Elementary School and attended Peace Church in Mesquite. Mr. Thornton’s hobbies included fishing, baseball and football. He is survived by his mother; brothers, Raymond Thornton and wife Sue of Edmond, OK, Wayne Thornton and wife Kay of Pittsburgh, TX, Sam Thornton and wife Norma of Ft. Worth, TX; aunt, Mary Hutchison of Clinton, MS; uncles, Burnette Thornton of Bude, MS, and Glen Thornton of Jackson, MS; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; nephew, Stephen Thornton; two aunts and five uncles. Memorials may be made to Gideon’s Association at www.gideons.org or to Peace Church, 2401 N. Beltline Road, Mesquite, TX 75150. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com