Gladys Elizabeth Thornton

August 4, 1929 - December 11, 2020

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Gladys Elizabeth Thornton, who was called home to The Lord on the early Friday morning of December 11, 2020, after attaining the prestigious age of 91 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Phillip Thornton, Sr., a son, Jerry Wayne, and all of her siblings. She is survived by two sons, Ernest Phillip, Jr. & Daniel Terry, a daughter, Linda Gayle. Five grandchildren, Louie, Tracy, Andrea, Jerry, & Amy, As well as numerous great grandchildren & one great- great grandchild.

Gladys was born on August 4, 1929 in Daisy, Georgia. She grew up in the areas of Screven, Blackshear, and Baxley, the second oldest of seven children. She moved to Jacksonville at the age of 16, accompanied by her older sister, Margaret, where they rented a room downtown and took jobs at a shoe factory. A year or two later, Gladys went to work at King Edward Cigar Factory, where she met her husband for life, Ernest Phillip Thornton. They married in the summer of 1948 and Gladys left the cigar factory to settle into a life of homemaking and motherhood. She returned to King Edward years later and remained until her retirement in 1994.

She was passionate about her family, always putting God and her children first. Gladys Thornton was no stranger to the concept of self-sacrifice. The Thornton family endured their share of hard times and Gladys never faltered or failed to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure her children were loved and provided for.

She carried that same passion and devotion to the next 2 generations; her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who affectionately call her "Nanny". She remained active in their lives, even throughout the declining health of her latter days.

Gladys was known for her kind and generous heart, a work ethic that was nothing less than herculean, and a resilience & dogged toughness that was truly heroic.

Though we lay her mortal body to rest, the love, warmth, & memories that Gladys inspired within this family is very much alive & will remain so forevermore.

The family will receive friends from 12-1 PM on Thursday December 17, 2020 at Nassau Funeral home. Services will follow immediately after at 1PM with Pastor Rodney Keith officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.

Condolence may be expressed by signing the guest book at www.nassaufh.com .  Arrangements are under the direction of Nassau Funeral Home 541720 US Highway 1 Callahan, Florida 32011.  904-879-1770