Mrs. Joyce Marie Thornton, 69 of Crossett, AR, died Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at the Medical Center of Plano in Plano, TX. Mrs. Thornton was a native of Hamburg, AR, a Crossett resident for the past 47 years, a retired van driver for Area Agency on Aging and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church (old Crossett Camp Community). She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Lee Thornton, her parents, Preston & Maxine Burks Girtman.

She is survived by two sons, Cleveland, wife Erma Cromwell of Little Rock, AR, Eld. James Odell, wife Caroline Cromwell of Fayetteville, NC, three daughters: Glenda, husband Orlanda Todd of Slidell, LA, Carla, husband Ronnie Todd of Allen, TX & Terri Trotter Cromwell of Dallas, TX, four brothers: James Girtman of Oakland, CA & Nathan, Preston Jr. & Willie Girtman all of Crossett, AR, five sisters, Melba, husband Oliver Wright, Carolyn, husband A.D. Davis, Juanita Gibbs, Rosa Lincoln & Helen Tucker all of Crossett, AR, twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 1:00 PM at New Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. Gregory Baker, officiating. Pallbearers were Deron Trotter, Marion Cromwell, Bruce Wright, Elvin Gibbs, Greg Bridges & Carl Kelly. Honorary pallbearers were the T.W. Daniel High School Class of 1956 and Singing Union #3. Burial was in Nimmons Cemetery under the directions of Cromwell Funeral Home.