Pine Bluff Commercial
Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR
Wilma Thornton
August 24, 1909
August 30, 2007
SEARCY —
Wilma Stephens Thornton, 98, died Thursday, August 30, 2007. She was born August 24, 1909. She was the daughter of A.J. "Jack" and Ethel Pumphrey Stephens of Prattsville. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Raymond H. Thornton of Sheridan, where he served many years as County Supervisor of Schools.
Survivors include one son, Ray Thornton Jr. and his wife Betty Jo, of Little Rock; and one daughter, Betty Lou Ulrey and her husband, Evan Ulrey, of Searcy. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Ann Ulrey of Los Angeles, California; Bonnie Ulrey Barnes and her husband Cary of Memphis; Robert Ulrey and his wife Jill, of Little Rock; Nancy Thornton of Little Rock; Mary Jo Hays of Conway; and Stephanie Fain of Cabot; two sisters-in-law: Bess Chism Stephens of Little Rock and Helen Halbert Stephens of Prattsville. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers — Albert Stephens of Prattsville, W.R. "Witt" Stephens of Little Rock, and J.T. "Jack" Stephens of Little Rock, two sisters — Lois Lowe of Little Rock and Jewell Mays of Prattsville, and one great-grandson, Shannon Fowler of Little Rock.
Along with her husband, she helped to establish the Church of Christ at Sheridan in 1940 where she was a member until she moved to Searcy in 1995 to be near her daughter, Betty Ulrey. She was a teacher in the Sheridan public schools from 1937 until she retired in 1970. Before that she taught at Prattsville and Leola. Although she taught almost every grade and every subject, she taught high school mathematics for the last 25 years of her career. She also served 25 years as sponsor of Sheridan High School Student Government, which supervised an honor study hall that served as a model for schools throughout the state and nation. She received her bachelor's degree from Arkansas State Teachers College and did graduate work at the University of Arkansas as a part of a national science program.
Mrs. Thornton was a member of Arkansas Education Association and National Education Association. She organized Sheridan's chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and she was a charter member (1940) of Chapter Y of PEO in Sheridan. She served on the boards of the Grant County Library and Southeast Mental Health Association. She started the Grant County Retired Teachers Association and served as its first president.
In September of 2005, she was honored by having a new building at Harding University named for her, the Wilma Stephens Thornton Center for Education. She was able to make a speech that day that inspired many. Dr. David Burks, president of Harding University, praised her for her contribution to education.
Mrs. Thornton was active in politics all her life, campaigning for her father and later her brother to be elected state representatives; her husband to be elected as county supervisor of schools; and then her son to be elected Arkansas' state Attorney General, U.S. Representative (serving three terms for the 4th Congressional District and three terms for the 2nd Congressional District) and then as a Supreme Court Justice.
She enjoyed living her last 10 years at Harding Place in Searcy where she had many friends and continued teaching by helping others learn how to play bridge.
The family wants to express its appreciation to the physicians, caregivers and Hospice Home Care Inc. for the excellent care she received.
Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Harding Place in Searcy, to which all friends are invited. Visitation with the family will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Long-time family friend, Bro. Jim Bill McInteer, who was the founding Minister of the Sheridan Church of Christ, will officiate the service at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Raymond and Wilma Thornton scholarship fund or the Evan Ulrey Performing Arts Center fund at Harding University, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149; or Sheridan Church of Christ.
Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR
Wilma Thornton
August 24, 1909
August 30, 2007
SEARCY —
Wilma Stephens Thornton, 98, died Thursday, August 30, 2007. She was born August 24, 1909. She was the daughter of A.J. "Jack" and Ethel Pumphrey Stephens of Prattsville. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Raymond H. Thornton of Sheridan, where he served many years as County Supervisor of Schools.
Survivors include one son, Ray Thornton Jr. and his wife Betty Jo, of Little Rock; and one daughter, Betty Lou Ulrey and her husband, Evan Ulrey, of Searcy. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Ann Ulrey of Los Angeles, California; Bonnie Ulrey Barnes and her husband Cary of Memphis; Robert Ulrey and his wife Jill, of Little Rock; Nancy Thornton of Little Rock; Mary Jo Hays of Conway; and Stephanie Fain of Cabot; two sisters-in-law: Bess Chism Stephens of Little Rock and Helen Halbert Stephens of Prattsville. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers — Albert Stephens of Prattsville, W.R. "Witt" Stephens of Little Rock, and J.T. "Jack" Stephens of Little Rock, two sisters — Lois Lowe of Little Rock and Jewell Mays of Prattsville, and one great-grandson, Shannon Fowler of Little Rock.
Along with her husband, she helped to establish the Church of Christ at Sheridan in 1940 where she was a member until she moved to Searcy in 1995 to be near her daughter, Betty Ulrey. She was a teacher in the Sheridan public schools from 1937 until she retired in 1970. Before that she taught at Prattsville and Leola. Although she taught almost every grade and every subject, she taught high school mathematics for the last 25 years of her career. She also served 25 years as sponsor of Sheridan High School Student Government, which supervised an honor study hall that served as a model for schools throughout the state and nation. She received her bachelor's degree from Arkansas State Teachers College and did graduate work at the University of Arkansas as a part of a national science program.
Mrs. Thornton was a member of Arkansas Education Association and National Education Association. She organized Sheridan's chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and she was a charter member (1940) of Chapter Y of PEO in Sheridan. She served on the boards of the Grant County Library and Southeast Mental Health Association. She started the Grant County Retired Teachers Association and served as its first president.
In September of 2005, she was honored by having a new building at Harding University named for her, the Wilma Stephens Thornton Center for Education. She was able to make a speech that day that inspired many. Dr. David Burks, president of Harding University, praised her for her contribution to education.
Mrs. Thornton was active in politics all her life, campaigning for her father and later her brother to be elected state representatives; her husband to be elected as county supervisor of schools; and then her son to be elected Arkansas' state Attorney General, U.S. Representative (serving three terms for the 4th Congressional District and three terms for the 2nd Congressional District) and then as a Supreme Court Justice.
She enjoyed living her last 10 years at Harding Place in Searcy where she had many friends and continued teaching by helping others learn how to play bridge.
The family wants to express its appreciation to the physicians, caregivers and Hospice Home Care Inc. for the excellent care she received.
Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Harding Place in Searcy, to which all friends are invited. Visitation with the family will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Long-time family friend, Bro. Jim Bill McInteer, who was the founding Minister of the Sheridan Church of Christ, will officiate the service at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Raymond and Wilma Thornton scholarship fund or the Evan Ulrey Performing Arts Center fund at Harding University, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149; or Sheridan Church of Christ.
Pine Bluff Commercial
Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR
Wilma Thornton
August 24, 1909
August 30, 2007
SEARCY —
Wilma Stephens Thornton, 98, died Thursday, August 30, 2007. She was born August 24, 1909. She was the daughter of A.J. "Jack" and Ethel Pumphrey Stephens of Prattsville. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Raymond H. Thornton of Sheridan, where he served many years as County Supervisor of Schools.
Survivors include one son, Ray Thornton Jr. and his wife Betty Jo, of Little Rock; and one daughter, Betty Lou Ulrey and her husband, Evan Ulrey, of Searcy. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Ann Ulrey of Los Angeles, California; Bonnie Ulrey Barnes and her husband Cary of Memphis; Robert Ulrey and his wife Jill, of Little Rock; Nancy Thornton of Little Rock; Mary Jo Hays of Conway; and Stephanie Fain of Cabot; two sisters-in-law: Bess Chism Stephens of Little Rock and Helen Halbert Stephens of Prattsville. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers — Albert Stephens of Prattsville, W.R. "Witt" Stephens of Little Rock, and J.T. "Jack" Stephens of Little Rock, two sisters — Lois Lowe of Little Rock and Jewell Mays of Prattsville, and one great-grandson, Shannon Fowler of Little Rock.
Along with her husband, she helped to establish the Church of Christ at Sheridan in 1940 where she was a member until she moved to Searcy in 1995 to be near her daughter, Betty Ulrey. She was a teacher in the Sheridan public schools from 1937 until she retired in 1970. Before that she taught at Prattsville and Leola. Although she taught almost every grade and every subject, she taught high school mathematics for the last 25 years of her career. She also served 25 years as sponsor of Sheridan High School Student Government, which supervised an honor study hall that served as a model for schools throughout the state and nation. She received her bachelor's degree from Arkansas State Teachers College and did graduate work at the University of Arkansas as a part of a national science program.
Mrs. Thornton was a member of Arkansas Education Association and National Education Association. She organized Sheridan's chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and she was a charter member (1940) of Chapter Y of PEO in Sheridan. She served on the boards of the Grant County Library and Southeast Mental Health Association. She started the Grant County Retired Teachers Association and served as its first president.
In September of 2005, she was honored by having a new building at Harding University named for her, the Wilma Stephens Thornton Center for Education. She was able to make a speech that day that inspired many. Dr. David Burks, president of Harding University, praised her for her contribution to education.
Mrs. Thornton was active in politics all her life, campaigning for her father and later her brother to be elected state representatives; her husband to be elected as county supervisor of schools; and then her son to be elected Arkansas' state Attorney General, U.S. Representative (serving three terms for the 4th Congressional District and three terms for the 2nd Congressional District) and then as a Supreme Court Justice.
She enjoyed living her last 10 years at Harding Place in Searcy where she had many friends and continued teaching by helping others learn how to play bridge.
The family wants to express its appreciation to the physicians, caregivers and Hospice Home Care Inc. for the excellent care she received.
Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Harding Place in Searcy, to which all friends are invited. Visitation with the family will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Long-time family friend, Bro. Jim Bill McInteer, who was the founding Minister of the Sheridan Church of Christ, will officiate the service at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Raymond and Wilma Thornton scholarship fund or the Evan Ulrey Performing Arts Center fund at Harding University, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149; or Sheridan Church of Christ.
Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., AR
Wilma Thornton
August 24, 1909
August 30, 2007
SEARCY —
Wilma Stephens Thornton, 98, died Thursday, August 30, 2007. She was born August 24, 1909. She was the daughter of A.J. "Jack" and Ethel Pumphrey Stephens of Prattsville. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Raymond H. Thornton of Sheridan, where he served many years as County Supervisor of Schools.
Survivors include one son, Ray Thornton Jr. and his wife Betty Jo, of Little Rock; and one daughter, Betty Lou Ulrey and her husband, Evan Ulrey, of Searcy. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Ann Ulrey of Los Angeles, California; Bonnie Ulrey Barnes and her husband Cary of Memphis; Robert Ulrey and his wife Jill, of Little Rock; Nancy Thornton of Little Rock; Mary Jo Hays of Conway; and Stephanie Fain of Cabot; two sisters-in-law: Bess Chism Stephens of Little Rock and Helen Halbert Stephens of Prattsville. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers — Albert Stephens of Prattsville, W.R. "Witt" Stephens of Little Rock, and J.T. "Jack" Stephens of Little Rock, two sisters — Lois Lowe of Little Rock and Jewell Mays of Prattsville, and one great-grandson, Shannon Fowler of Little Rock.
Along with her husband, she helped to establish the Church of Christ at Sheridan in 1940 where she was a member until she moved to Searcy in 1995 to be near her daughter, Betty Ulrey. She was a teacher in the Sheridan public schools from 1937 until she retired in 1970. Before that she taught at Prattsville and Leola. Although she taught almost every grade and every subject, she taught high school mathematics for the last 25 years of her career. She also served 25 years as sponsor of Sheridan High School Student Government, which supervised an honor study hall that served as a model for schools throughout the state and nation. She received her bachelor's degree from Arkansas State Teachers College and did graduate work at the University of Arkansas as a part of a national science program.
Mrs. Thornton was a member of Arkansas Education Association and National Education Association. She organized Sheridan's chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, and she was a charter member (1940) of Chapter Y of PEO in Sheridan. She served on the boards of the Grant County Library and Southeast Mental Health Association. She started the Grant County Retired Teachers Association and served as its first president.
In September of 2005, she was honored by having a new building at Harding University named for her, the Wilma Stephens Thornton Center for Education. She was able to make a speech that day that inspired many. Dr. David Burks, president of Harding University, praised her for her contribution to education.
Mrs. Thornton was active in politics all her life, campaigning for her father and later her brother to be elected state representatives; her husband to be elected as county supervisor of schools; and then her son to be elected Arkansas' state Attorney General, U.S. Representative (serving three terms for the 4th Congressional District and three terms for the 2nd Congressional District) and then as a Supreme Court Justice.
She enjoyed living her last 10 years at Harding Place in Searcy where she had many friends and continued teaching by helping others learn how to play bridge.
The family wants to express its appreciation to the physicians, caregivers and Hospice Home Care Inc. for the excellent care she received.
Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Harding Place in Searcy, to which all friends are invited. Visitation with the family will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Long-time family friend, Bro. Jim Bill McInteer, who was the founding Minister of the Sheridan Church of Christ, will officiate the service at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Raymond and Wilma Thornton scholarship fund or the Evan Ulrey Performing Arts Center fund at Harding University, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149; or Sheridan Church of Christ.
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