Melba Monteen (Black) Thornton

Melba Monteen Black Thornton, age 90, of Baxley went home to be with her Lord Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at her residence, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia and surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Thornton was born March 13, 1933 in Appling County to the late James David “Jim” Black and the late Flora Viola Butler Black. She married Richard Vernon Thornton on September 5, 1948 and they made their home in Baxley, Jesup, and Fernandina Beach, Florida before returning to Baxley in 1971.

Mrs. Thornton was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother who loved and prayed for her family, friends, and church. She enjoyed cooking, her ministry to shut-ins, her garden, her church family at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Richard Vernon Thornton; a daughter, Janice Louise Thornton; son, Charles Emory Thornton; son-in-law, Morgan C. Rowland, Sr.; granddaughter, Catina M. Rowland; great grandson, Samuel Mock; great grand twins, Daniel and Rachel Rowland and angel babies; brothers, Rufus Vernon Black, Winston Black (Blanche LaPrad), and Carroll (Murnadene) Black; sisters, Evelyn Thornton, Viola (George) O’Neal and Lillian (Carrol) Dykes; seven brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.

Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Janet & Jerry Kersey of Baxley and Linda & Ray Hutto of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren, Morgan (Shannon) Rowland, Jr of Hilliard, FL, Amanda Kersey of Rome, David (Angel) Rowland of Blackshear; Cory Thornton of Coleman, FL, Felecia Kersey of Baxley, and Crystal Ohlendorf of Yulee, FL; great grandchildren, Austin (Christa), Kaitlyn, Jonathan, Bradley, Dylan, Natalee (Juan), Zoe, Dalton, Anjelica, Kaden, Tylan, Isaiah, and Hannah; and one great great granddaughter, Oakley. A host of nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, as well as three brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law also survive.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church with Rev. Dannie Hix, Rev. Andrew Kersey, Rev. Parker Roberts and Mr. Delmus Hale officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service.

Active pallbearers will be her grandson, Morgan Rowland, Brad Rowland, Jon Rowland, Dylan Rowland, Samuel Mock, Kaden Mock, Tylan Mock, and Dalton Ohlendorf.

Honorary pallbearers The Joy Sunday School Class, and Hospice of South Ga of Jesup.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Joy Sunday School Class (9565 Blackshear Hwy Baxley, GA 31513) or Hospice of South Georgia (1625 Sunset Blvd. Jesup, Ga 31545).

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.