Vonceile Hill Thornton

Luna Vonceile Hill Thornton, 90, of Columbia, passed away on October 5, 2013. Daughter of the late Howard Henry Hill and Luna Belle Johnson Hill, she was born January 15, 1923, in Zama, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her husband of over forty years, Buford Eugene Thornton. She was also preceded in death by her brother, James G. Hill, and brother-in-law, Huland Yates. Mrs. Thornton was salutatorian of Zama High School in 1941. While waiting for her future husband to return from WWII, she attended and graduated from Alverson Business College in Birmingham, Alabama, majoring in bookkeeping and secretarial science. Mrs. Thornton lived much of her adult life in Russellville, Alabama, where she and her husband owned and operated The Drug Shop from 1962 until they retired in 1982. They were active members of the First Baptist Church of Russellville, where her husband taught Sunday School. After her husband's death in 1987, she moved to Columbia, Tennessee, and lived out the remainder of her life with her daughter and family. She was a member of First Family Church in Columbia. A devoted mother and grandmother, she is survived by her children, Jerry H. Thornton of McComb, Mississippi, and Dr. Tina (Robert) Smith of Columbia; grandchildren, John Edward Orman, IV of Tuscumbia, Virginia (Tyler Hughes) Orman of Waynesboro, TN, Victoria Orman of Pulaski, TN; great-granddaughter Madalynn Elizabeth Hughes; step-grandchildren Joby Jay (Brandi) Smith, Sabrina (Alvaro) Jacal, Yvonne (Mario) Miniard, and Brandy Smith; Sister, Mary Hill Yates of Birmingham, brother, Larry Joe (Joann) Hill of Red Bay; many nieces, nephews, and step-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 11:30 until 1:00 on Monday at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville, with the funeral following at 1:00. Burial will be in Red Bay Cemetery. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the family with announcements. Condolences may be offered online at www.oakesandnichols.com.