James Thornton

James Laverne Thornton, 85, of Hixson, walked into "HEAVEN" on Friday, July 19, 2013.James retired from the Wayne L. Bowman Co., serving as salesman; sales manager; vice president, executive vice president and finally president. He worked there for 20 years. He has been a member of Hixson First Baptist Church for over 40 years, where he served as Deacon, Gideon and served as president of the Brotherhood and chairman of the ushers. As his father taught his sons, a man should never stop working. So after retiring from Wayne L. Bowman, he went on to sell real estate and become a million dollar producer. He started working at the age of 6 with his two older brothers selling peanuts and pop-corn. He went to work selling shoes on Beale Street in Memphis, at 25 cents per hour (his first full time job) at the age of 12.James attended Tech High School and went on to study at Oklahoma City University. In 1949, he met Reba Cummings from Burnsville, Miss., and on May 20, 1950 they were married. His wife, and best friend are living a "Love Affair" that is endless.He was preceded in death by his parents, Madison Henry Thornton and Lutie May Moore Thornton of Tate County Mississippi; his sister, Margaret Parker; and brothers, Robert Edward Thornton and Henry Eason Thornton.Surviving family members are his wife, of 63 years, Reba Thornton; his daughter, Rebecca Laverne Thornton; two twin sons, Jan Paul Thornton and wife, Vivian Roxanne Thornton and Van Floyd Thornton and wife, Sandra Thornton; grandchildren, Jennifer, James Paul, Rebecca, Ashley, Adam and Madison along with great-grandchildren, Bronson, Tre, Britney, Gabby, Hunter, Carter James and Wyatte; and sisters, Mildred Potts and Hilda Shettles of Memphis.There will not be any visitation. Graveside Entombment Services will be at 11:30 a.m. today, July 20, 2013, at Hamilton Memorial Gardens in the Apostles Garden Mausoleum.Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.Please share your condolences at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.