Hayden Lanier Thornton, age 85, passed away at Crestview Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Brownsville, TN on Saturday, April 30, 2011.

Hayden was the daughter of Maude and William Lanier of Alabama. She was the devoted wife of Harbert Thornton, Jr. for sixty-five years and accompanied her husband in the building and operation of the Mid-South Livestock Center in Brownsville, TN. She and Harbert were coordinators and speakers for the Methodist Lay Witness Program throughout many states. For many years they volunteered as American hosts to students from other countries attending Lambuth College. They also served as travel companions for local church youth groups to places across the Southeast.

Throughout her life, she served and supported the local churches of Haywood County, including the women's ministries of First United Methodist Church, Tabernacle United Methodist Church, and Christ Church of Brownsville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harbert Taylor Thornton, Jr.; her parents, Walter "Bill" Lanier and Maude Mullins Lanier; and her son-in-law, Tommy McWilliams.

She is survived by two daughters, Dale McWilliams of Brownsville, TN, and Ree Moses of Oxford, MS; and one son, Taylor Thornton III of Nashville, TN; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She also leaves a half brother, Bill Lanier of Panama City, FL.

Visitation for Mrs. Thornton will be Friday, May 6, 2011, from 5-7pm at Lea & Simmons Funeral Home. Services will be Saturday, May 7, 2011, at 2pm at Tabernacle United Methodist Church, Brownsville, TN, with burial to follow in Tabernacle Cemetery.

The family has requested memorials be made to Tabernacle Perpetual Care Fund, c/o Betsy Thornton, 57 Old Hwy. 19, Brownsville, TN 38012; or to First United Methodist Church, 117 East Franklin, Brownsville, TN 38012; or to Christ Church Youth Fund, c/o Annette Phillips, P.O. Box 1522, Brownsville, TN 38012; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

- Lea & Simmons Funeral Home