Thomas Edwin Thornton

Benson, NC:  Mr. Thomas Edwin Thornton, age 91, of 258 Noah Road died Friday at Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehab in Benson.  Funeral services will be 3:00PM  Monday at Rose & Graham Funeral Chapel in Benson.  Officiating will be Rev. Marguerite Sirrine and Mrs. Rebecca O'Dell.   Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.               Mr. Thornton was born April 3, 1925 in Johnston County to the late Elbert and Bertha Johnson Thornton.  He was also preceded in death by his wife, Nadine Kinsey Thornton; a grandson, Thomas Neal Thornton; and siblings, Clio Barefoot, Edith B. Tart, Lilly B. Tart, Isaac Barefoot, Bertha Barefoot, Alonzo Barefoot, Worth Thornton, Gladys T. Warren and George Thornton;  Mr.. Thornton served in the U. S. Navy during World War II and was a member of American Legion Banner Post 109.  He was a farmer, a member of Unity Presbyterian Church in Newton Grove, NC, and a member of Meadow Fire Department.               Surviving include his daughter and son-in-law, Kaye T. and Jimmy Massengill, Sr., of Benson; son and daughter-in-law, Eddie W. and Rhonda Thornton of Benson; grandchildren and spouses, Jim Massengill, Jr. and wife, Charlotte, Suzanne M. Beasley and husband, Scott, Karla M. Allen and husband, Travis, Brian Massengill and wife, Angela, Amanda T. Woolard and husband, Deward, Scarlette T. Myers and husband, Gale, Woody Thornton and wife, Autumn, and Lindsay T. Powell and husband, Robert; 16 great grandchildren, Trey Massengill, Hannah Beasley, Tyler Beasley, Kayla Allen, Cody Allen, Cameron Massengill, Dallton Woolard, Delaney Woolard, Daphney Woolard, Destiney Woolard, Brittany Parnell, Savanna Myers, Olivia Myers, Delayna Thornton, Caleb Thornton, and Lydia Powell; brother-in-law, Dennis Kinsey and friend, Coraleen Sloan, of Benson; sisters-in-law, Gerri Young and husband, Leo, of Durham, and Lucille Kinsey of Benson; and many nieces and nephews.               Family will receive friends at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson from 5:00PM to 8:00PM Sunday and other times at the home of Kaye and Jimmy Massengill, Sr., 318 Godwin Lake Road, Benson, NC  27504.               Flowers are welcomed; however, memorials may be sent to Meadow Fire Department, 7409 NC Hwy 50 South, Benson, NC  27504 or Unity Presbyterian Church, 11551 NC Hwy 50 South, Newton Grove, NC  28366.