James “Mann” Thornton, 91, the son of the late Horace Buck and Icy Pearl Richardson Thornton, was born in Green County on June 4, 1934 and departed this life on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Green River Trails Nursing Facility.

He accepted the Lord at an early age and was a member of Jacob Grove Baptist Church where he loved to sing and He served as deacon and building fund treasurer until his illness. For many years, he was a truck driver and later started work with Tennessee Gas where he retired. He was a member of the Greensburg, Green County League of Citizens, where he served as Sergeant at Arms and received the Good Neighbor Award. He also served as Green County Constable. In his spare time, he loved hunting and fishing.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson and granddaughter: Gavin Keith Thornton and Chanda Elyse Calhoun; and by two brothers and three sisters: Hobert Thornton, Aurthur Thornton, Margie Mitchell, Dorothy Thornton and Mary Lou Miller.

SURVIVORS:

His wife of 60 years: Alberta Atkinson Thornton

2 children: Elmira Mills & husband Kelvin and Greg Thornton & wife Quinn of Greensburg

Other children: Garry Thornton of Bowling Green, Damita Thornton Scott of Louisville, KY, Donnie “Squirrel” Williams of Greensburg, Kay Calhoun of Campbellsville, and Cheryl Lynn Burton & husband Don of Indianapolis, IN

18 grandchildren: Ty, Jamyelle, Tyron, Tyress, Trent, Shae, Robin, Blake, Lauren, Corey, Casey, Ciera, Johnathan, Tori, Quinton, Jeron, Ali, and Erika

1 choice granddaughter: Candy Thornton

A host of great-grandchildren

1 sister: Nora Thornton of Indianapolis, IN

Brother-in-law: Danny R Curry of Campbellsville

A host of nieces, nephews, other relatives & many friends

Mann raised several of his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Corey, Casey, Ciera, Massiah, and Makyla.

Funeral Service: Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 12 Noon Central Time at Foster-Toler Curry Funeral Home with Rev. Melvin Mills and Rev. Josh Miller officiating

Burial: Green County Memory Gardens in Summersville

Visitation: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 5PM until 8PM central time and after 7AM on Thursday 

Pallbearers: Corey Hancock, Blake Henry, Massiah Shively, Demetrius Hancock, Trent Williams, SR, Trent Williams, JR.

Honorary Pallbearers: Zion District Deacons, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Employees