A celebration of life will be held for Donna Nell Thornton 10 a.m., Friday, March 14, at First Baptist Church Hazlehurst, with burial at Shelton Cemetery in Copiah County. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, at FBC Hazlehurst.
Mrs. Thornton passed from this life peacefully Tuesday, March 11, 2025, with her family by her side. She was born on July 5th, 1961, to Bertha Starnes Thornton and William Wiley (Billy) Thornton of Hazlehurst. She was the only girl of three and the baby of the family. She excelled in academics and music, faithfully taking piano lessons from her dear teacher, Mrs. Jewell Roebuck. She graduated from Copiah Academy in 1979, immediately beginning her college career at her beloved University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
She loved Jesus, the beach, the color red, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and unsweetened tea.
Having a love for music, she spent many years teaching Children’s Choir at New Hebron Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Hazlehurst. She also taught piano lessons for over twenty years and spent the last several years as the pianist at Spring Ridge United Methodist Church.
She taught children in various schools in Mississippi for over 30 years, settling in her favorite subject, Math. She adored her daddy, and a love for math was something she learned from him. She taught at New Hebron Elementary, Simpson Academy, First Presbyterian Day School, Crystal Springs Elementary, and Copiah Academy.
Her true calling as she often stated was being a mother. She selflessly raised her two children with strength and grace. She enjoyed teaching them both in the 6th grade, but was sure to show no favoritism, as they can each recall receiving B’s. She loved when her children went to college, not only because they followed in her Golden Eagle footsteps, but because that meant they had more friends she could feed. She would not let anyone leave her house or tailgate tent without knowing they had taken part in her delicious food, especially her homemade petit fours.
Life took a glorious turn for her when she discovered the joy of grandchildren. She was an involved and loving “Nonna” to her four grandchildren whom she adored. She is held in high esteem by each one and will be remembered for her holiday meals, yearly beach trips, help with last-minute math homework and her handmade sweaters and pillows.
Her family takes joy in knowing she is where she has longed to be for many years, safe, and healthy in the arms of her loving Heavenly Father.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Berth Faye Starnes Thornton, and father, William Wiley (Billy) Thornton.
She is survived by her son, Clark Little; daughter, Virginia Alexander (Matt); grandchildren Olen, Emmie, Lyla, and Graham Alexander; brothers Billy Alvin Thornton (Judy); Bobby Thornton (Dixie); nephews Brent Berry (Hope); Mason Thornton (Caitlyn); Nieces, Kate Blaylock (Jay); Emily Steadman (Joseph); Caroline Welch (Waylon); many great nephews and nieces, special friends Jonelle Harris Sims, Melanie Haire, and LeeAnne Alderman, and a host of extended family, church families, dear friends, and cherished students.
Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church of Hazlehurst, Spring Ridge United Methodist Church, or to the Donna Thornton Memorial Scholarship Fund through Copiah Bank.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to First Baptist Church of Hazlehurst, Spring Ridge United Methodist Church, Copiah Academy, The Methodist Rehab Center, Copiah County Medical Center, Dr. Randy Hankins, Nurse Practitioner Julie Gardner, Dr. Bobby Graham, and Arden Hospice.
