Clara Mae (Strickland) Thornton

Mrs. Clara Mae Strickland Thornton, 98, of Blackshear, passed away late Thursday evening,  January 2, 2020, at Waycross Health and Rehabilitation. 

Clara was born in Pierce county on December 28, 1921, and had just celebrated her 98th birthday, December 28, 2019. She was a former resident of  the Tebeau House before moving to Waycross Health and Rahlbilitation. Mrs. Thornton was well known as "Aunt Clara" by the many children that she kept, an occupation that she truly loved. She also loved taking care of her flowers, vegetable garden, needle work, crocheting, tatting, and cooking. She was a well known and faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, the Senior Adult Women, and Second Service Sunday School Class.

She was a daughter of Farley and Mamie Strickland.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Enoch David (E.D.) Thornton; her twin sons, Warren David Thornton and Wallace Enoch Thornton; a sister, Bernice Strickland Morgan; and her three brothers, Harvey, Horace and Banner Strickland.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Genevieve Thornton (Raymond) Thomas of Fountain, FL; a sister, Myrtie Strickland Highsmith of Waycross, a brother, Milton Strickland of Melrose, FL; 2 daughters-in-law, Nancy Gowen Thornton of Molena, GA; Mary Carter Thornton Edwards of Martinez, GA; 7 grandchildren, Kristan Thornton & Vince Gilmer of Martinez, GA, Marla Thornton Farris and fiance' Steven Fleck of Indianapolis, IN, Jamie & Tina Taylor of Blackshear, Emily & Willie Milnor of Catonsville, MD, David & Kristina Thornton of Waycross, Jason & Sarah Thornton of Augusta, GA, and Matthew Thornton and fiance' Laura Meeks of Chester, NY; 18 great grandchildren, Mikayla Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Kayla Gilmer, Kaitlyn Gilmer, Jackson Gilmer, Amelia Farris, Jacob Fleck, Sam Fleck, Travis Thornton, Carter Thornton, Boone Thornton, Haines Milnor, Rowan Milnor, Bryce Milnor, Kaylee Dampier, Morgan Dampier, one due in February 2020 and one in June 2020; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 2:00 o'clock, from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment will be in the Blackshear City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donations in Clara's name, to her church, Emmanuel Baptist, 217 W. Carter Avenue, Blackshear, GA 31516.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home, Inc., of Blackshear is in charge of the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clara Mae (Strickland) Thornton, please visit our floral store.