Franklyn Thornton

THORNTON, Franklyn Maxey, passed gently to heaven December 17, 2005, at the home of her daughter in Stephens, Ga. She was born in Maxeys, Ga., to the late Frank and Lila Strozler Maxey July 4, 1922. Frankie completed her education in the local schools before moving to Atlanta, where she met and married her late husband, Wesley B. "Joe" Thornton. Following her husband's discharge from the Navy in 1945, they returned to Tampa, where they established their home and raised their three children. Frankie and Joe moved to the Forest Hills neighborhood in 1955 and made lifelong friendships in this family community. One of Frankie's favorite pastimes was walking around the golf course for exercise and waving a friendly greeting to residents with her ever-present walking stick. Through the years, Frankie enjoyed many wonderful friendships that were unique and special. She treasured the shared times and memories, knowing that love never fails. Frankie was a Christian who served the Lord at Northgate Ba ptist Church in Tampa for nearly 50 years. During that period, she taught Sunday school classes, mission studies, auxiliary programs, and participated in foreign and local mission activities and visitation outreach. Survivors are daughter, Gail Matson-Wood, and her husband, George, of Tampa; daughter, Barbara Thornton Cabaniss, Stephens, Ga.; son, Frank B. Thornton, Athens, Ga.; grandson, Cary Reece, and his wife, Tracy, and their daughters, Jessica and Jaime, Woodstock, Ga.; siblings, Eleanor Simonds, Lexington, Ga., Roberta McKinley, Douglasville, Ga.,; Sue McKinney, Augusta, Ga., Malcom Maxey, Spring Hill, Fla., Clifford Maxey, Crawford, Ga., Meadow Maxey, Lexington, Ga., Leonard Maxey, Tampa, and Myron Maxey, Jonesboro, Ga. Services will take place 12:30 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2005, at the chapel of Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa. Visitation will begin at noon, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, Frankie would have appreciated a memoriam donated to h er beloved Northgate Baptist church, 1301 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, FL 33612. Your kind words Of sympathy during this time of sadness will always be cherished by her family and friends. Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes Athens, Ga.