Norma Jean Tolbert Thornton, 85, formerly of Vero Beach, passed away on Jan. 19, 2014.
She is survived by her husband, Basil R. Thornton; sister, “Boots” Tolbert Royston; daughters, Zilca Thornton Hall Parker, Teena Thornton Keeler Mills, and Lori Thornton Bennett Hamrick; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She was born Feb. 16, 1928, to the late Bosco and Ruth Whitworth Tolbert in Tampa, Fla., and married Basil R. “Sparks” Thornton on Oct. 10, 1948.
Thornton was a beloved member of the Greensboro. Ga., community since 1985, an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, and former president of The Greensboro Garden Club. She was instrumental in the act of helping to preserve the Greensboro Memorial Garden Trees.
She worked previously as one of the first telephone operators in Athens-Clarke County and later in women’s retail with JCPenney in Jacksonville, Fla., and Anthony’s in Vero Beach.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer or the Oconee Performing Arts Society in Greensboro, Ga.
For details concerning visitation and memorial service, please contact The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro, Georgia.
