Jesse Stephen Thornton

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 23, 2013 at Moore Funeral Home Bowen Road. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 22, 2013 from 6-8 at the funeral home.

Jesse was born in Jackson, Mississippi to Ance L. Thornton and Clara E. Thornton on April 16th 1931. He graduated from Jackson Central High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. Jesse then joined the United States Navy for 4 years.

After his discharge from the Navy, he worked for United Gas Pipeline Company for 42 years serving on local crews, then moving up to the safety department and finally working as a Senior right of way representative serving all over the gulf south. He has spent the last 23 years in Arlington enjoying his family and neighbors. Jesse is preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, Katye Joyce; and daughter, Anna E. Watkins.

He is survived by is son Jesse Stephen, Jr., 5 grandchildren, Fred Lamar Watkins and wife Carol of Frisco, TX, William Stephen Watkins and wife Linda of Washington, Katye C. Watkins of Fairhope, AL, Jessica Hashop and husband Jestin of College Station, TX, Amanda Nicole Thornton of SMU; 3 great grandchildren, Matthew Watkins of Frisco, TX, Jay and Max Watkins of Washington; 2 brothers, Robert L. Thornton and his wife Sue of Jackson, MS, Percy L. Thornton and his wife Margie, of Clinton, MS, and sister Pat Hollingsworth and her husband Paul of Byram, MS.