Doris Chessor Thornton

Doris Chessor Thornton of Greensboro, Georgia passed away Thursday, October 24, 2013 at the age of 89. A 60-year resident of Greene County, Doris was born in Jackson, Tennessee on November 29, 1923 to the late Omer Grady Chessor and Jenny Lou Chessor. After graduating high school in 1941, Doris accepted a position at the Aviator Training Base in Jackson, working at the base throughout the U.S. involvement in World War II. In 1945 with the war coming to an end, she left her job after four years of service to attend Union University, also in Jackson. Following her education at Union, she moved to Augusta, Georgia, as she accepted a position as an administrative assistant at the Medical College of Georgia under Dr. Corbett H. Thigpen and Dr. Hervey M. Cleckley who wrote "The Three Faces of Eve". She also corresponded with Margaret Mitchell through Dr. Thigpen. This is also where she met a young doctor in training, Hollister Alvin "H.A." Thornton. Following a courtship and engagement, they were married on June 26, 1948. After a short time in Atlanta, H.A. and Doris moved to Greensboro in 1952 where H.A. set up his medical practice, and where the Thorntons would spend the rest of their lives working and raising their family. During that time, in addition to being a full-time mother, Doris was an active member of the Greensboro community and with the United Methodist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher at the Methodist Church and was always known as "Miss Doris". She was an avid walker and never met a stranger. She loved serving others. She was greatly loved and will truly be missed by her family.

Doris is preceded in death by her husband, H.A. Thornton and her parents, Omer and Jenny Lou Chessor. She is survived by her sister, Rosemary Chessor Codgell; her four children, Teri Thornton Stewart (A.T.), Janice Thornton Coile (Rocky), Nancy Thornton Moon (Tommy), David Thornton (Terri); grandchildren, Tiffany Stewart Cali (Christian), Lindsey Stewart Monihan (Tim), Blair Stewart Colvin (Matt), Brittany Stewart Arrowood (Michael), Jesse Stewart (Shara), Josh Stewart (Maggie); Kati Coile Butler (Gordon), Jay Coile (Becca), Will Coile, Justin Moon (Stephanie) and Holly Moon Jordan (Ricky); 19 great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at McCommons Chapel with Rev. A. T. Stewart officiating. Interment will follow in Greenview Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Greensboro, GA 30642. Serving as pallbearers are: Larry Smith, Jesse Stewart, Josh Stewart, Justin Moon, Jay Coile and Will Coile. The family requests that any memorials be made to St. Mary''s Good Samaritan Hospital, 1230 Baxter Street, Athens, GA 30606. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until time for the service at McCommons Funeral Home. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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