Obituary of Dale S. Thornton

Dale Shirey Thornton, 72 years of age, rejoined her Heavenly Father on January 13, 2024 at 8:05 p.m. surrounded by her family.

Dale is preceded in death by her father and mother, Hydrick and Allie Carson. She is survived by her husband of more than 53 years, Tom, and her children, Kimberly and husband, Steve; Shane and wife, Melanie; their grandchildren: Ashley and husband, Daniel; Brooke, Allie Paige, Johnny, Riley, and Carson. She is also survived by her siblings: Brother, Jack; sister, Ann and husband, Dick; brother Earl and wife, Martha.

Dale's love for her family came second only to her love for Jesus Christ. She never missed an opportunity to worship Him with her church family. Dale served as hostess, choir director, and secretary of her beloved church, Pine Bluff Baptist Church.

Dale leaves behind a strong legacy of family and, in fact, as stated by her husband, Tom, "She is the thread that holds our family together." She was a woman full of grace and an endless capacity for love, kindness, and forgiveness. Dale was truly a magnet to people. To meet her was to love her.

Dale will be dearly missed by her family and friends and has left her mark on all of their lives. Ernest Hemingway once said, "Every man has two deaths. When he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name. In some ways, men can be immortal." Dale's name (Dale, Honey, Babydoll, Mom, Momma, Grandmother, Grandmama), will be remembered and spoken by her family and friends for many, many years to come. She will be missed by all, but her memory will live on in our hearts forever.

"The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living."