Edward F. "Ed" Thornton

Edward "Ed" Floyd Thornton, age 65, of Elizabeth City, NC, passed away on August 26, 2025. Born in Rome, GA on November 20, 1959, he attended school at Coosa High School where he began to develop his love for history and football. Football gave him an opportunity to further his education at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. He found his calling when he started teaching and coaching. He loved teaching. He loved coaching. He loved history. But most of all, he loved his family.
After teaching in Tennessee and Georgia for a few years, Ed moved to Washington, DC to take on two very interesting but very different jobs. He worked at The Close Up Foundation, which was a non-profit civics education group, teaching kids from all over the country about how their government worked. He also was a football coach at Gallaudet University, the nation's only university for the deaf and hard of hearing. He had to learn sign language and really immerse himself in this community. He found it a very challenging and enjoyable experience. From there, Ed moved to North Carolina to continue a career in education – in the classroom and on the football field and basketball court – first in Edenton, then Fayetteville, and finishing up in Elizabeth City.
After retirement in 2019, Ed became involved in the Elizabeth City community by joining the Rotary Club and becoming a trustee at the College of the Albemarle, both activities that he enjoyed immensely.
Ed is survived by his wife, Patricia Thornton; son, Jake Thornton; sister, Terri Swanson (Anthony); nieces, Allison Hicks (Terry) and Jennifer Blakeley (Jason); great nieces, Bailey, Gabby, and Izzy; and a great nephew, Spencer. Ed was preceded in death by his father, Horace Thornton and his mother, Myrtice Thornton.
We have been receiving all your messages and we appreciate them. Ed would "love the love" from his friends and former students – "our kids". We have planned a Celebration of Life for Ed at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Northeastern High School gymnasium, 963 Oak Stump Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. This is according to his wishes. If you can get there, great. If not, we understand that travel and life in general may prevent it, but please be thinking of him at this time. Love to all of you and know that the support from all of our communities that we have received is felt and greatly appreciated.
Special Request from Coach Thornton:
He wanted everybody to wear your TEAM COLORS – whether it's high school, college, or pro. It can be a jersey, a t-shirt, or a polo shirt. Know that the sport or actual team doesn't matter. To Ed, it was the TEAM CONCEPT. He firmly believed that the word TEAM stands for Together Everyone Achieves More.
In lieu of flowers we would appreciate if you would make donations to the American Cancer Society, https://donate.cancer.org, plant a tree through Twiford's link, or even donate to your preferred charity. Again, thank you for your support through this time.
Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is assisting the Thornton family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.