Hubert Cecil Thornton, a much loved husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, passed into eternity peacefully at his home March 26 with his family present. He had bravely confronted and battled cancer.

He was born in Rockford on July 7, 1935. From 1954-1957, he served in the U.S. Army in Japan and Korea as a traffic analyst. After returning home, he finished high school and attended Jacksonville State University. During this time, he married Hilda Ree Hughes and in 1961, they moved to Linden where they resided for 53 years. He was employed at Georgia-Pacific for 37 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Dewey Thornton; mother, Mary Ada Thornton; brothers, Earl Thornton and Elvis Thornton; sister, Virginia Murry; and son-in-law, Coleman Whitcomb.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Hilda Ree Hughes of Linden; daughters, Celia Kyle (Larry) Adams of Birmingham, Teresa Ann (Rusty) Vick of Linden and Amanda Lynn (Jason) Arledge of Gallion; grandson, Keaton Adams; granddaughters, Renee Whitcomb, Kathryn Gay, Ashley Whitcomb and Ally Vick; sisters, DuAnne Conner of Cocoa, Fla., and Sandra (Doug) Foster of Freeport, Fla.; and brother, Aeril (Dorothy) Thornton of Sylacauga.

During retirement years, he and his wife traveled the United States often with Hilda’s sisters, Priscilla Mitchell and Martine Hughes, whom he loved like sisters. They enjoyed Hawaii, the Canadian Rockies, Montana, Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Niagara Falls, Charleston, Savannah, Gatlinburg and many other places. He gave his lift to Christ in 2011 and enjoyed membership and fellowship at the Linden Church of Christ. He loved his family and considered his children and grandchildren the joy of his life.

Funeral services were held at O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home in Linden on Monday, March 31 at 11 a.m. with minister Bill Beck officiating. Burial was at Linden Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers were Bill Ward, Tyler Gay, Randy Thornton, Greg Thornton, Blake Gardner and Keaton Adams. Honorary pallbearers were Walter Cannon, Don Lauderdale, Winston Cobb, John Mansfield, Tommy Vick and the retirees of Georgia-Pacific. Alternate pallbearers were Jessie Averett and Stevie Thornton.

Condolences may be offered at www.obryantchapelfh.com. Arrangements by O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home in Linden.