Stephen Carroll Thornton

Stephen Carroll Thornton, age 55, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife, sister and grandkids on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at his home in Greenwood, South Carolina after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.

Stephen spent his elementary days at Thornwell Home for Children, where he met his present wife, April Meeler Thornton. They were girlfriend and boyfriend at 11 years old. Forty-three years later, they reunited as boyfriend and girlfriend again and were married in October of 2023.

Stephen was one of the good ones. He was a hard-working family man and raised his two step-grandchildren as his own from the ages of 2 and 4 to adulthood, without hesitation. Stephen had a huge heart, loved to make people laugh and encouraged everyone to show forgiveness. He never gave up fighting even at his lowest. He was everything a man should be.

Stephen loved riding motorcycles and watching Duck Dynasty. He loved chicken pot pie and Red Lobster’s soup and salad. Stephen had a huge, beautiful smile and known for his immaculate yard. He loved listening and sharing his favorite music. He enjoyed watching the South Carolina Gamecocks, loved the lake, throwing darts, and playing basketball. He believed in Jesus, loved his church and read his Bible every day.

Stephen is survived by his wife, April Meeler Thornton, of Greenwood; his parents Gerald Dean Thornton of Cross Hill and Allie Pauline Eassy of Gray Court; his grandchildren Gregory Chapman and Kaley Chapman of Easley; three stepsons Mason Mack (Alexis) of Waterloo, Landon Mack (Ashlie) of Greenwood and Mark Chapman (Nicole) of Pelzer; his sisters Tracey Defao of Gray Court and Amy Smith of Seneca; his brothers Greg Thornton of Fountain Inn and Mark Thornton of Gray Court; several nephews, nieces, and cousins and his loyal dog, Cash. He was preceded in death by his previous wife Susie Brooks Thornton and a sister Geraldine “Dino” Thornton.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont and 180 Health and Wellness both of Greenwood for their caring and dedicated staff. They went above and beyond to assist April in caring for Stephen.

A visitation for Stephen will be held Monday, December 2, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM at First Free Will Baptist Church, 1510 E Durst Ave, Greenwood, SC 29649, followed by a funeral service at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Free Will Baptist Church and Kim’s Hope (https://kimshope.org/), a glioblastoma nonprofit organization.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.