Louie Eldon Thornton

Louie Eldon Thornton, Sr., age 82, died on January 30, 2014 at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi.
He was born in Hopkins County, Texas and moved to Mississippi in 1941. He attended elementary and middle school in Raleigh and Petal and high school in Hattiesburg, graduating with the class of 1949 from Hattiesburg High School. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1973 with a BS degree in accounting.
He was preceded in death by his father, Louie (L.B.) and his mother Ethelene, son Louie, Jr., brother Elvis, and sister, Sue Glover.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Fredna Clotilde Thornton, sons Tony and Alan, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
His employment included 13 years with the Merchants Co. in Hattiesburg, MS and 26 years with Delta Pine/Weyerhaeuser in Beaumont and Columbus, MS. He retired in 1994 and moved to Jourdan River Shores in Kiln, MS where he was living when he died.
He was one of the founding members of Grace Chapel Baptist Church in Kiln where he served as treasurer for 11 years. He also served several years as treasurer for Jourdan River Shores Home Owner's Association in Kiln. He was a long time member of BPO Elk Lodge 599 in Hattiesburg where he held numerous positions including Exalted Ruler in 1979. His hobbies in retirement included fishing, deer hunting, and watching football.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Grace Chapel, Kiln Delisle Rd, Pass Christian with a visitation for family and friends from 10:00 AM until the service. The graveside service will be held at Roseland Park, Hattiesburg.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 9113 Kiln Delisle Rd, Pass Christian is in charge of arrangements.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.