Marylin Sue Thornton

Marylin Sue Thornton, age 62, of Sturgis, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on September 29, 1963, in Marion, Kentucky, to the late Ada Lorene and William Gobel Travis, Marylin grew up in Marion before making her home in Sturgis. She was known throughout her community for her unwavering kindness, deep compassion, and her ability to live authentically and unapologetically herself.
A devoted caregiver by nature and by profession, Marylin dedicated her life to serving others. She worked as a nurse and spent many years at Morganfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where her compassion extended far beyond her professional duties. It was not uncommon for her to bring residents without family into her home during the holidays, ensuring they were surrounded by love, laughter, and a home-cooked meal.
Following her years in nursing, Marylin devoted herself fully to her family and to her husband of 20 years, Mack Thornton. Her generosity and servant's heart touched countless lives, and her steadfast faith in the Lord remained a constant source of strength and guidance.
Marylin loved her family deeply and took great pride in her roles as wife, mother, sister, aunt, and "Mimi." Her joy was found in simple, meaningful moments-watering her plants, reading her Bible, listening to worship music, cooking for loved ones, and sharing in fellowship with family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Mack Thornton of Sturgis; three daughters, Mandy Perez of Sturgis, Victoria (Andrew) Self of Owensboro and Kate (Justin) Craig of Herrin, Illinois; and Christian and Amber Thornton of Sturgis, whom she loved as her own; and two stepchildren, Mack T. (Heather) Thornton of Sturgis, and Blessing Bonefield of South Dakota.
Also surviving are four beloved grandchildren, Maddox, Jackson, Beckett, and Sophie; step-grandchildren Noah, Jack, Alice, and William; sisters, Patricia Bethe of Elberfield, Indiana, Gretta (Glenn) Ridings of Paducah, and Linda Foster of Evansville, Indiana; one brother, Henry (Joy) Travis of Louisiana; half-siblings, Shirley Byford and Newman Travis of Marion; and many loving nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Marylin was preceded in death by her sisters, LouDon Beavers Davis, Helen-Ann Redd, Judith Adams, Flora-Ellen, Sharon-Diane, and Karen Travis; half-brothers, James C. "Bubb" Travis and Charles Travis; and half-sisters, Betty Jane Garner, Billie Ryan, and Ernestine Scott; brother-in-laws Jewel Wayne (George) Adams, Marshall Beavers, Russell Bethe, Charles Williams, and Oscar Sullivan.
A celebration of Marylin's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis, Kentucky. Family and friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Marion, Kentucky.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Marylin's love, faith, and light will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her.