CHEROKEE, AL – Willie Thorne, Jr., departed this life on Monday, October 14, 2019, at his home in Cherokee, Alabama surrounded by family and friends. Willie was born September 29, 1949, to the late Willie Jack and Dorothy (Rogers) Thorne in Cherokee, Alabama. He confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and joined the Liberty Baptist Church in Alsboro, Alabama. He completed Jobcorp in 1969, where he trained in Auto Mechanics, Carpentry and Machine operations. On May 29, 1971 he married Elizabeth Jeannette Johnson. While married, Willie worked as a foreman and heavy machine operator during the construction of the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway. He later started his own business, “Willie Thorne & Son Construction Company.”
Willie later joined Ekklesia Ministries in Sheffield, Alabama, where he served on the Deacon Board and was a faithful member until his health failed him.
Willie was an avid outdoorsman, who loved fishing, hunting, carpentry, and restoring vintage cars in his free time.
Willie loved his family with all his heart and soul. He enjoyed hosting BBQ’s and fish fries for family and friends and was famously known for his fried catfish and homemade hushpuppies.
Willie especially loved traveling with his family around the U.S. and attending the annual Thorne family reunion, which he attended faithfully for over 35 years until his health failed in the summer of 2019.
He was a friend to all and one who never met a stranger. He mentored and counseled struggling youth and often offered food, shelter, and a job to many people in need.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his wife of 48 years, Elizabeth Jeannette Thorne; one son, Willie Terrell Thorne; six daughters, Sabrina Lowery (Chris), Brandi Patterson (Otis), Kamiya Waddle (Wayne), Natoria Tensley (Von), Tiffany Bennett and Tammy Simmons (Derrick); two brothers, Dwight Thorne (Vivian), Kennedy Thorne; three sisters, Earnestine Walker, Doris Boulrece, Joann Thomas (Anderson); sixteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends; two very special nieces, Donna Jean Thorne & Tammi Johnson; two very special nephews, Justin “Bishop” Alexander and Jerome Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Jack & Dorothy Thorne; one son, Willie Tyrome Thorne; four sisters, Myra Thorne, Ethel Cannon, Landers Coburn, Jurlene Thorne; one brother, Bobby Thorne.Services will be Saturday, October 19, 3 p.m. at Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, Tishomingo, MS with Apsotle Kobee Fitzgerald officiating. Burial will be in Tishomingo Cemetery, Tishomingo, MS. Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS will be in charge of arrangements.
