Racine – Mary (nee: Mosley) Thornton was born to Matt and Augusta (nee: Gaston) Mosley on May 5, 1920, in Birmingham, Alabama.  Mary is a proud descendent of the following known grandparents that were born in slavery: Mariah and George Byrd and Sonny and Ida Gaston.

At an early age Mary confessed her faith in Christ.  She was a member of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Mississippi.  She received her formal education at Mitchell Memorial School.

Although she was born in Birmingham, Alabama, she was raised in Columbus, Mississippi, with her mother's loving family, her brother and sister, along with a host of cousins.

Mary was united in Holy Matrimony on April 17, 1937, to Eugene Thornton in Columbus.  He was recruited by J.I. Case Company in 1944 during World War II.  Case was located in Racine, Wisconsin, but they came to Columbus looking for workers because of the shortage of employees caused by the war.  Eugene was unable to serve in the Armed Forces due to an injury he sustained to his hand while working at a saw mill.  Mary along with their two daughters, Katherine and Shirleen joined her husband in Wisconsin eight months after Eugene was recruited.

Mary was devoted to her family and her focus was always on them.  She was married at the tender age of sixteen and was a devoted wife and loving mother and as a wise woman of God she began to build her home.

Mary was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Lawrence L. Kirby.

Mary was employed by Johnson Wax Corporation in Racine and she retired on May 22, 1981.

Mary was called home to be with her Loving Savior at the Beautiful Age of Ninety Eight on May 22, 2018.

She leave to cherish her precious memories, her daughters, Katherine (Ed) and Shirleen (Olen); grandson, Brandon; granddaughter, Cedra (Lawrence); great grandsons, Jarvis, Anton, Montae' and Derick Jr.; great granddaughters, Crystal, Delitha and Mariah, great-great grandchildren and great-great-great grandchildren, nephews, Howard, Lonnie, Gilbert, Charlie and Hyme; special cousins, Sammy and Eddie; special nieces, Margaret, Mattie, Tina, Vivian and Cornet; special granddaughters, Lisa and Nicole, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Augusta and Matt Mosley; her husband, Eugene Thornton; brother, Henry Louis Buck; sisters, Bessie Crum and Elizabeth Freeman; grandson, Derick Bostick Sr.; nephews, Henry Buck Jr., Roosevelt Sykes, Horace Crum and Irvin Crum.

The Celebration of Mary's Life will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018, 11:00am, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1123 Center St, Racine, WI.  Visitation will be in the church on Friday from 10:00am until the time of service.  Bishop Lawrence L. Kirby will be officiating.  Interment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park.

Service Details

Funeral: Friday, June 1, 2018  11:00am

Visitation: Friday, June 1, 2018  10:00 – 11:00am

Location: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1123 Center St., Racine, WI

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