Bobbie Fay Thornton, 74, a longtime resident of Gatesville, passed away December 20, 2012 at Hillcrest Hospital.
Bobbie was born July 11, 1938, in King, TX to Millard Augustus "Gus" Mohler and Mabel Fern (Shoal) Mohler. She married Arvin Leon "Al" Thornton of Rockport, TX January 1, 1957 in Gatesville.
She worked as an Executive Secretary for Rockwell International for many years, and she devoted her later years to researching and documenting the history of Coryell County and its residents. She was active in the Coryell County Historical Commission and provided many hours of service at the Coryell County Courthouse.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Bobbie is survived by her former husband Al Thornton; by her two sons, David Carter Thornton of Gatesville and Arvin Leon Thornton Jr. and wife Jane of San Antonio; her daughter Stephanie Elizabeth Puryear and husband Brent of Mt. Juliet, TN; nine grandchildren: Candy Thornton, Chris Thornton, David Thornton Jr., Courtney Thornton, Sean Thornton, Shannon Thornton, Caera Thornton, Damian Nulisch, and Eric Ditch; her sister Susan Claudette Shinn; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, make donations in the name of "Bobbie Faye Thornton" to The Gatesville Museum, The Historical Commission or The Genealogical Society.
Gatesville Funeral Home, Gatesville, Texas,
December 22, 2012
Bobbie was the heart and soul of the Coryell County historical and genealogical communities. She spent countless hours transcribing records in the Coryell County courthouse. Every bit of history she uncovered was meticulously preserved, and committed to her brilliant mind. Her dedication to preserving the history of Coryell County was unmatched by any other individual. Coryell County has lost a true champion.
Those who knew her reveled in her sometimes gruff manner because we knew what a softie she really was under that outer formidable persona. She was a treasured mentor and a dear friend, who will be profoundly missed.
Sherry Lawrence, December 22, 2012
My dear friend and mentor who taught me so very much. She shared so much of her knowledge with myself and others. Her memory will be with us forever. I loved her and will miss her feisty personality.
Dee Winter - December 22, 2012
I will never be able to thank her enough for the original Strickland marriage certificates that she saved for me (after they were indexed and no longer wanted by the county). Those are very precious to our families and have gone to the individual Strickland families involved. She was so generous with her information, and I will treasure the memories of knowing her.
Pam (Strickland) Vick
Bobbie was born July 11, 1938, in King, TX to Millard Augustus "Gus" Mohler and Mabel Fern (Shoal) Mohler. She married Arvin Leon "Al" Thornton of Rockport, TX January 1, 1957 in Gatesville.
She worked as an Executive Secretary for Rockwell International for many years, and she devoted her later years to researching and documenting the history of Coryell County and its residents. She was active in the Coryell County Historical Commission and provided many hours of service at the Coryell County Courthouse.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Bobbie is survived by her former husband Al Thornton; by her two sons, David Carter Thornton of Gatesville and Arvin Leon Thornton Jr. and wife Jane of San Antonio; her daughter Stephanie Elizabeth Puryear and husband Brent of Mt. Juliet, TN; nine grandchildren: Candy Thornton, Chris Thornton, David Thornton Jr., Courtney Thornton, Sean Thornton, Shannon Thornton, Caera Thornton, Damian Nulisch, and Eric Ditch; her sister Susan Claudette Shinn; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, make donations in the name of "Bobbie Faye Thornton" to The Gatesville Museum, The Historical Commission or The Genealogical Society.
Gatesville Funeral Home, Gatesville, Texas,
December 22, 2012
Bobbie was the heart and soul of the Coryell County historical and genealogical communities. She spent countless hours transcribing records in the Coryell County courthouse. Every bit of history she uncovered was meticulously preserved, and committed to her brilliant mind. Her dedication to preserving the history of Coryell County was unmatched by any other individual. Coryell County has lost a true champion.
Those who knew her reveled in her sometimes gruff manner because we knew what a softie she really was under that outer formidable persona. She was a treasured mentor and a dear friend, who will be profoundly missed.
Sherry Lawrence, December 22, 2012
My dear friend and mentor who taught me so very much. She shared so much of her knowledge with myself and others. Her memory will be with us forever. I loved her and will miss her feisty personality.
Dee Winter - December 22, 2012
I will never be able to thank her enough for the original Strickland marriage certificates that she saved for me (after they were indexed and no longer wanted by the county). Those are very precious to our families and have gone to the individual Strickland families involved. She was so generous with her information, and I will treasure the memories of knowing her.
Pam (Strickland) Vick
Bobbie Fay Thornton, 74, a longtime resident of Gatesville, passed away December 20, 2012 at Hillcrest Hospital.
Bobbie was born July 11, 1938, in King, TX to Millard Augustus "Gus" Mohler and Mabel Fern (Shoal) Mohler. She married Arvin Leon "Al" Thornton of Rockport, TX January 1, 1957 in Gatesville.
She worked as an Executive Secretary for Rockwell International for many years, and she devoted her later years to researching and documenting the history of Coryell County and its residents. She was active in the Coryell County Historical Commission and provided many hours of service at the Coryell County Courthouse.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Bobbie is survived by her former husband Al Thornton; by her two sons, David Carter Thornton of Gatesville and Arvin Leon Thornton Jr. and wife Jane of San Antonio; her daughter Stephanie Elizabeth Puryear and husband Brent of Mt. Juliet, TN; nine grandchildren: Candy Thornton, Chris Thornton, David Thornton Jr., Courtney Thornton, Sean Thornton, Shannon Thornton, Caera Thornton, Damian Nulisch, and Eric Ditch; her sister Susan Claudette Shinn; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, make donations in the name of "Bobbie Faye Thornton" to The Gatesville Museum, The Historical Commission or The Genealogical Society.
Gatesville Funeral Home, Gatesville, Texas,
December 22, 2012
Bobbie was the heart and soul of the Coryell County historical and genealogical communities. She spent countless hours transcribing records in the Coryell County courthouse. Every bit of history she uncovered was meticulously preserved, and committed to her brilliant mind. Her dedication to preserving the history of Coryell County was unmatched by any other individual. Coryell County has lost a true champion.
Those who knew her reveled in her sometimes gruff manner because we knew what a softie she really was under that outer formidable persona. She was a treasured mentor and a dear friend, who will be profoundly missed.
Sherry Lawrence, December 22, 2012
My dear friend and mentor who taught me so very much. She shared so much of her knowledge with myself and others. Her memory will be with us forever. I loved her and will miss her feisty personality.
Dee Winter - December 22, 2012
I will never be able to thank her enough for the original Strickland marriage certificates that she saved for me (after they were indexed and no longer wanted by the county). Those are very precious to our families and have gone to the individual Strickland families involved. She was so generous with her information, and I will treasure the memories of knowing her.
Pam (Strickland) Vick
Bobbie was born July 11, 1938, in King, TX to Millard Augustus "Gus" Mohler and Mabel Fern (Shoal) Mohler. She married Arvin Leon "Al" Thornton of Rockport, TX January 1, 1957 in Gatesville.
She worked as an Executive Secretary for Rockwell International for many years, and she devoted her later years to researching and documenting the history of Coryell County and its residents. She was active in the Coryell County Historical Commission and provided many hours of service at the Coryell County Courthouse.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Bobbie is survived by her former husband Al Thornton; by her two sons, David Carter Thornton of Gatesville and Arvin Leon Thornton Jr. and wife Jane of San Antonio; her daughter Stephanie Elizabeth Puryear and husband Brent of Mt. Juliet, TN; nine grandchildren: Candy Thornton, Chris Thornton, David Thornton Jr., Courtney Thornton, Sean Thornton, Shannon Thornton, Caera Thornton, Damian Nulisch, and Eric Ditch; her sister Susan Claudette Shinn; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, make donations in the name of "Bobbie Faye Thornton" to The Gatesville Museum, The Historical Commission or The Genealogical Society.
Gatesville Funeral Home, Gatesville, Texas,
December 22, 2012
Bobbie was the heart and soul of the Coryell County historical and genealogical communities. She spent countless hours transcribing records in the Coryell County courthouse. Every bit of history she uncovered was meticulously preserved, and committed to her brilliant mind. Her dedication to preserving the history of Coryell County was unmatched by any other individual. Coryell County has lost a true champion.
Those who knew her reveled in her sometimes gruff manner because we knew what a softie she really was under that outer formidable persona. She was a treasured mentor and a dear friend, who will be profoundly missed.
Sherry Lawrence, December 22, 2012
My dear friend and mentor who taught me so very much. She shared so much of her knowledge with myself and others. Her memory will be with us forever. I loved her and will miss her feisty personality.
Dee Winter - December 22, 2012
I will never be able to thank her enough for the original Strickland marriage certificates that she saved for me (after they were indexed and no longer wanted by the county). Those are very precious to our families and have gone to the individual Strickland families involved. She was so generous with her information, and I will treasure the memories of knowing her.
Pam (Strickland) Vick
