Thornton Wilson

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth and even forevermore." - Psalm 121:1-2, 8

Thornton Wilson (Thornie, Pickett, Babe, Dad) was born to Elizabeth Colonna Wilson and Doyle Wilson in 1950 in Nassawadox, Virginia. God called him to rest on October 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM while in the ICU Heart

Hospital in Norfolk General. He was listening to gospel music and his wife rubbed his arm, telling him it's alright and to get some rest. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Marion, Beulah and Julia.

He was his mother's pride and only child. He attended the old Boston Elementary School and graduated from Mary Nottingham Smith High School. After working several years, he decided to further his education in technology and attended MCI in Norfolk, Virginia. At a young age, Thornton became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Boston, Virginia, where he sang on the choir and traveled to various festivities with the church.

At the age of 16, after missing the school bus, his mother took him to South Accomack to meet the school bus but instead he encouraged his mother to turn around to catch the bus with the girl standing at her driveway, Joan. From that time on, Joan and Thornton were inseparable for six years. Following high school graduation, Joan attended nursing school to become an RN, and the two of them were joined in marriage in 1972 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church by Reverend Willie Carter. In 1974, God blessed them with their first child, Thornette Angentell. Six years later, Thornton Jr. arrived, and six years after that, Ashley Monique. In high school, Thornton was the quarterback and played football for a couple of years. He enjoyed baseball and was left field catcher for the Boston Ants baseball team. 1980 was a very good year; he used to comment, "I got a new baby boy, son, a new car, and a motorcycle," 1980 Kawasaki, which Joan named The Songbird. They joined the Eagle Riders Motorcycle Club.

For a short time, he was a disc jockey, and for the club, he enjoyed playing Santa Claus for the motorcycle club kids. For a short time, he shared ownership in a club of his own and then managed "Hermans" in Boston for his father-in-law. His work at Perdue was curtailed due to his health and so with the help of his father-in-law, he repaired pool tables, game machines, and took on any other responsibility that was needed. Thornton really enjoyed working several years for Charter Communication as a technician. He was very good at troubleshooting various problems and could be seen up and down the shore in his white bucket truck. During that time, there were not many people of color employed at Charter which when he retired, was Spectrum.

Thornton loved his children and before they were born he was a father figure to brothers-in-law, Robert and Kevin. His oldest, Thornette, helped and was co-pastor at her husband's side at New Life Full Gospel in Belle Haven, there he joined and became a deacon and the youngest daughter, Ashley, was a minister. Once the church closed, Thornton returned to St. Paul AME in Pungoteague and shared many Sundays there. He attended Bible study and teaching at Eastern Shore Christian Center under Reverend Kevin Francis. Thornton was delighted and became a member there, always sharing the word with family and anyone who would listen. While in the hospital on several occasions, at the physician's office and Walmart, he had a prayer list. Thornton enjoyed praying with every friend in person, over the phone, it didn't matter. Thursday night Bible Study with Pastor Francis was a regular until he became too ill to participate.

He leaves to carry on his memory: his wife of 52 years, Joan; children, Thornette Sample, Thornton Wilson, Jr. (Kishia) of Boston, Virginia; step children, Kyra and McKenzie; grandson, Air Force Sargent, Raekwon Wilson, daughter, Ashley Wilson and grandson, Ray'Melo Giovani Harris; two spiritual children, Glynis Bailey and Carlos Taylor; three brothers-in-law, Kevin Nock, Lawrence Bailey, and Daniel Nock; three sisters-in-law, Eva Marks, Renita Major and Yvonne Nock; several good friends, George Harmonson, Pastor Kevin Francis, Artie Booze, Calvin Ames, Dorice Sample, Sr., Almer Rogers, Levi Toppin, Jerome Hack, Ralph Mears, and Margaret Heath; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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