Alvie Author Thornton, 86, was born on February 21, 1937, in a little three-room house on Platter Road just east of Leavenworth Road. He lived there until December 1942, his family moved to a farm east of Caddo in the Robinson Community, and went to church at Robinson all of his years. This is where he was saved, baptized, and surrendered his live to preach. Alvie started school in the first grade in Caddo in 1943 and Ms. Mary Wilson was his teacher.
He graduated from Caddo High School in 1955. His favorite subject in high school was Glee Club, at that time his teacher was Ms. Erma Taylor, He won several excellence ratings and superior on bass solos at Regional and State contests. Alvie went into the Army in November 1955. He took Basic training and advanced artillery training at Ft. Carlson, Colo. He left there in June 1956 and spent the rest of his time on tour of duty in Ulm, Germany. He got home on September 17 and on October 5 he married Shirley Pair.
He worked at several different jobs and pastored small country Baptist churches and his wife was an excellent pastor’s wife and Sunday school teacher. He saved the best jobs for last, he worked five years as a hospice chaplain and five years at Brown’s Funeral Service in Durant.
Alvie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley (Pair) Thornton; parents, Archie A. Thornton and Nora (Winsett) Thornton; his brother, James Doyl Thornton, and Darrell Thornton; and sister Margie Brown
Left to cherish his memories are his children: Debra Thornton Green of Calera, Okla., LaDonna Thornton Swartz and husband Wiliam of Durant, Okla., and Don Thornton and wife Susan of Marshall, Texas; brother, Leonard Thornton; eight grandchildren: Gidgit Graham, Kristina, Styrlin, Mary, Tyne, Jessica, Brooke and Brian; and 19 great-grandchildren with one on the way, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services with Military Honors are set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Armstrong Baptist Church with burial to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Visitation is set for 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Brown’s Funeral Service of Durant. Serving as pallbearers are the Patriot Guard Riders.
Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service of Durant.