Mrs. Ethel Martha Thornton | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Mrs. Ethel Martha Thornton a former resident of Washington died Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at Cary Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cary, NC.

    A funeral service will be held 3:00p.m.Sunday, December 23, 2012 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington officiated by Rev. Danny Allen. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2:00p.m. until the funeral hour, at the funeral home.
Mrs. Thornton was born in Tuscaloosa, Ala. On January 3, 1921, daughter of the late Ethel E. Bagwell and Richard Smallwood.

    On June 17, 1942, she married the late William Edward Thornton, Sr. She was very active in civic organizations in Washington such as the Women's Club and her most recent employment was in Margie's Hallmark Store, where she was well known as a vivacious and personable lady. She and her husband were long standing members of the First United Methodist Church of Washington. Ethel was a loving and caring person who went out of her way to help those in need. She cherished her memories of her many years in Washington, especially her close friends of the Canasta Group that had many enjoyable experiences for many years.

    Mrs. Thornton is survived by a son; William Edward Thornton, Jr and wife Lydia V. Thornton of Madisonville, La; a daughter Susan Thornton Booth and her husband George of Cary, NC; two granddaughters; Mary Katherine Booth and Elizabeth Voigt Thornton and a brother, Felix Smallwood of Lebanon, TN.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Thornton family.