Anita Claire (Templeton) Thornton

          Mrs. Anita Claire (Templeton) Thornton, lovingly known as, “Neener”, age 89, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, Kentucky.

            Mrs. Thornton was born on August 13, 1934, in Holly Springs, Mississippi to the late Maurice Emerson Templeton and Clara Velora (Hastings) Templeton. She attended Murray State University, was a homemaker, a member of the First Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky, a member of the Judy Ingersoll “Magic” Sunday School Class, and a member of the Senior Citizen Exercise Class. Family brought her joy and happiness and was her most important treasure in life. 

            In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Will D. Thornton; two brothers, Bubba and Jack Templeton; as well as two sons-in-law, Brad Barnett and James Wright. 

            Survivors include three daughters, Sheri (Thornton) Wright of Paducah, Kentucky, Becky (Thornton) Brown of Murray, Kentucky, and DeAnn (Thornton) Barnett of Murray, Kentucky; one son, Will Downs Thornton of Murray, Kentucky; one sister, Sharon Lammey and husband Brooks of Olive Branch, Mississippi; one sister-in-law, Janice Thornton, Murray, Kentucky; two brothers, Charles Templeton of Memphis, Tennessee and Joe Templeton and wife Lynn of Orange Beach, Alabama; six grandchildren, Bethany (Wright) Edwards and husband Aaron, Kathyrn (Wright) Thomas and husband Nathan, Hunter Brown and wife Emily, Tyler Brown and wife Carley, Claire (Barnett) Wyatt and husband Tanner, and Faith Thornton; as well as 11 great grandchildren, AnnaClaire Marie, Emerson Kay, and Palmer Lou Edwards, Hastings Marie, William Wright, and Clayton Patrick Thomas; Adalynn Rae Brown, Lennie Louise and Radley James Brown, Kason Dale and Callen Bradley Wyatt; and soon to be 12^th great grandchild, Annie Mae Wyatt. 

            A private family graveside service will be held at the Thornton Farm Overlook in New Concord, Kentucky. Bro. Boyd Smith will officiate, and burial will follow at Thornton Rock Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. 

            Expressions of sympathy can be made to the First Baptist Church – Childrens Ministry, 203 South 4^th Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071. 

            Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com