Lula Odell Pilkinton Williams Thornton, 87, of Tifton passed away Thursday, September 2, 2004, at Tift Health Care. Her funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 5, 2004, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. John S. Gibbs, Sr., officiating. Mrs. Thornton was laid to rest at Omega Cemetery.
Pat A. Pilgrim, Farris Dotson, Jonathan Dotson, Jason Dotson, Richard Dotson and Michael Williams served as pallbearers.
Born February 15, 1917, in Omega, Mrs. Thornton was the daughter of the late William Floyd Pilkinton and Maude Lee Puckett Pilkinton. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Raiford James Williams, Sr., who passed away July 23, 1966; two brothers, Herman Pilkinton and W. F. Pilkinton; and two sisters, Aurie James Merritt and Floydean Stephens. She was a homemaker; and she was of the Baptist faith.
Mrs. Thornton is survived by her husband, Robert L. Thornton of Tifton; four daughters, Jean Adams of Odessa, Texas, Edith Moore of Ridgeland, South Carolina, Linda Clayton of Tupelo, Mississippi and Donna Faye Dotson of Tifton; one sister, Jeannette Key of Norman Park; 22 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special "Thank You" to the staff of Tift Health Care and Mrs. Thornton's caregiver, C. J. Walker for their tender care of Mrs. Thornton.