Greta Mae Thornton, 91, of Hometown, West Virginia, entered her eternal rest on Saturday, May 9, 2026, passing peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and her beloved husband of 49 years, Chelcy Thornton.
Born on December 1, 1934, Greta was a devoted daughter of faith, a faithful wife, a devoted mother, and a teacher in every room she ever entered. For 28 years she served the children of Putnam County as a schoolteacher, shaping young minds with patience, kindness, and a deep and abiding love for learning. Many who sat in her class carried her influence far beyond those walls. She is a graduate of WV State College and received her master’s degree from WV College of Graduate Studies.
She loved deeply and quietly, poured herself out for those she cherished, and met life with a strength that never needed to announce itself. She loved to read, and the Word of God was never far from her heart. The 23rd Psalm — The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want — was her anchor, a scripture that spoke the language of her life: trust, provision, and the faithful presence of a God who walks with His children through every valley and brings them home.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bennie and Carol Hissom Ross; her sister, JoAnn Meeks; her brother, Ben Ross; and her beloved husband of many years, Chelcy Thornton, who no doubt was waiting to welcome her.
Greta is survived by her daughter, Janet Garrison (Wesley), of Hometown; her son, John Thornton, of Winfield; and her sister, Carol Hicks, of Ripley. She is also survived by five grandchildren who were among the great joys of her life: granddaughters Ivy Garrison-Hague (Jon), Holly Garrison, and Violet Cohenour (Matthew), and grandsons Ross Thornton and Levi Thornton. She leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren, along with a beloved company of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whose lives she touched in ways they will carry always.
Greta Mae Thornton lived a life well and faithfully given. She is not gone — she is home. And the shepherd she trusted led her there.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”
Psalm 23:4
A tribute to the life of Mrs. Greta Mae Thornton will be 2:00 PM Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Haven of Rest Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with her grandson, Rev. Ross Thornton officiating. Entombment will follow the services. Family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service at the mausoleum chapel.
